Shaping Sustainable Futures Through Design
Our Philosophy
At MIO, we see design as a powerful catalyst for change. We’re committed to shifting cultural values towards sustainable and equitable systems, utilizing design, artistry, and science to address complex global challenges and inspire creativity across communities.
Our Journey
From a one-bedroom start-up in 2001 to a trailblazing leader in sustainable design, our journey is a tale of passion, innovation, and resilience.
Discover Our Story
Jaime Salm: Creativity Without Limits
Jaime was always the artistic one in the family, exploring every creative outlet his parents encouraged—ceramics, painting, engraving, carpentry, music, and sculpture. As a teenager, sculpture became his passion. He spent weekends scouring junkyards in nearby towns, removing the passenger seat of his car to haul home rusted gears, beams, and rebar—his raw materials for creation. With an arc welder gifted for his birthday, he transformed metal scraps into art, plugging into the clothes dryer’s 220-volt outlet whenever he had the chance. This was the start of Jaime’s lifelong journey in the art of repurposing.
Isaac Salm: Business for Good
Isaac was sharp, pragmatic, and always a step ahead. As a kid, he kept his growing collection of CDs and model cars in perfect order, untouched by his brothers' chaos. He had an instinct for business—spotting opportunities where others didn’t. During the holidays, he and Jaime repurposed the silicone packaging from imported chocolates into molds for handmade candles, which Isaac sold effortlessly. Navigating deals with older kids and adults, he quickly learned how to read people, anticipate needs, and turn ideas into action. He understood systems—how things worked and how they could work better. These early experiences shaped his empathetic management style and his talent for bridging ideas, industries, and people—skills that would later define MIO’s approach to sustainable design and innovation.
The genesis of MIO was marked by innovation, a bold vision, and a touch of audacity. At their first tradeshow, the Salm brothers proudly introduced their debut collection—thoughtfully designed, sustainably crafted, and unlike anything else on the market. When visitors inquired about their "green products," Isaac quickly realized that sustainability, at the time, was still seen through a narrow lens. People expected muted tones, raw textures, and an aesthetic that signaled eco-consciousness in the most obvious ways. Instead, MIO’s designs were vibrant, modern, and meticulously crafted—not green in color, but green in philosophy. That moment underscored what would become a defining principle of MIO: sustainability doesn’t have to look the way people expect it to. It can be bold, refined, and full of life. It’s not just about the materials used but about rethinking processes, repurposing resources, and challenging conventions. What began as a small, unconventional debut has since evolved into a brand that refuses to compromise between design and responsibility. MIO continues to push boundaries, proving that sustainability is not a limitation—it’s an opportunity to create better products, smarter systems, and a more thoughtful future.
The Hat Trick: A Lesson in Reinvention
A chance visit to a Philadelphia hat shop sparked one of MIO’s most unexpected breakthroughs. Among rows of felt and straw hats, the Salm brothers saw more than headwear—they saw untapped potential. When they learned the hats were handcrafted upstairs using century-old molds, curiosity took over. What if hats weren’t just for heads? That question led to a creative experiment. Instead of shaping the felt into traditional brims and crowns, they flipped the forms upside down, transforming them into sculptural bowls and lampshades. A single-purpose object became something entirely new. This "hat trick" became more than a clever design solution—it defined MIO’s philosophy. Rethink. Repurpose. Reimagine. A hat could be a bowl, just as a factory could be adapted for unexpected possibilities. Sustainability wasn’t just about materials; it was about seeing beyond limits. That mindset still drives MIO today—proof that sometimes, the simplest shift in perspective leads to the most extraordinary ideas.
Our Commitments
MIO’s guiding principle, Responsible Desire, makes sustainability something people genuinely want—not out of guilt, but because it enhances their lives. Through good design, eco-efficient manufacturing, and storytelling, we shift perceptions and values, inspiring choices that naturally lead to reduced waste, smarter consumption, and a healthier planet.
We source with purpose.
Material selection is the foundation of sustainable design. We prioritize mono-materials for easier recyclability and reduced waste contamination while sourcing certified materials like FSC-certified wood products, Red List-free components, and recycled or upcycled resources. Beyond environmental impact, we seek materials with social and ecological benefits, supporting fair labor practices, regenerative production, and waste diversion initiatives. By partnering with manufacturers who share our values, we ensure that every material contributes to a more responsible and sustainable future.
We design for circularity.
Sustainability isn’t just about responsible materials—it’s about designing for longevity, adaptability, and the full product lifecycle. Our products are intentionally crafted to integrate into industrial or natural cycles, ensuring that resources remain in use for as long as possible. We carefully match materials to their use cycles, balancing durability with end-of-life solutions that allow for easy disassembly, reuse, or recycling. By prioritizing modularity and material selection, we create products that not only last but also evolve with changing needs.
We close the loop.
A circular future is only possible if sustainable choices are accessible and intuitive. That’s why we focus on designing for disassembly, material recovery, and responsible disposal. We make it easier for consumers and businesses to participate in circular systems—whether through recycling, upcycling, or return programs. Sustainability shouldn’t be complicated or costly; it should be a seamless part of everyday life. By designing products with clear, actionable end-of-life solutions, we help bridge the gap between good intentions and real environmental impact.
Our Blog
Not a Resource, a Relationship
Post by Isaac Salm, Managing Director MIO Culture We are in a relationship with Earth.Not a healthy one. Not reciprocal —at least not for the better part of the last three hundred years. It’s a relationship marked by overconsumption, extraction, and disregard—a pattern of taking more than we give. If this were any other relationship, we might call it abusive. And like any broken relationship, repair begins with recognition. At MIO, this recognition is at the root of how we design. Because sustainability isn’t about “saving” the planet—the planet will go on. It’s about showing up better in the relationship. It’s about making things differently, using differently, thinking differently. It’s about remembering that every object, every choice, is part of a larger system of connection between people, places, materials, and the Earth itself. This is the lens through which we see design—not as product, but as relationship. Seeing the World with New Eyes Our work has always begun by looking again. At materials, at processes, at the systems we’ve inherited....
Earth Action Day Manifesto
Posted by Jaime Salm, MIO Culture Creative Director Every year on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day. But why limit our efforts to just one day? What happens to the Earth and the goodwill the rest of the year? This may seem dramatic, but the environmental crisis has demonstrably worsened since the first Earth Day in 1970. While some progress has been made, we are approaching tipping points once considered unthinkable. Is one day of awareness enough? How can one day of awareness and action change anything? This is why I decided to write this short manifesto about climate action. It's time to rethink "Earth Day" and shift toward something more ambitious and structured. Those who believe any visibility for the environmental movement is beneficial may be missing an important point: the fleeting nature of modern business and media. Andy Warhol was right; everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame, including Earth Day. In our continuous news cycles and the sea of events on the marketing and social media calendars,...
What Are Acoustic Tiles Made Of?
Posted by Alex Frazer, MIO Culture Trade Support Acoustic tiles are one of the most common sound treatments for residential and commercial spaces. But with so many different materials and types to choose from, it can be a challenge finding the right solution for your space – what works for your home may not be as effective for a corporate office. Acoustic tiles are designed to improve the sound quality and noise levels in a particular room or space. They’re used in offices, schools, recording studios, churches, and even residential homes for a variety of applications. As sound waves are produced, they scatter around open space, bouncing off hard surfaces like walls, ceilings, and floors. This creates inconsistencies in sound quality. But acoustic tiles fix this issue, absorbing sound waves as they make contact with the tiles. The energy is absorbed and dispersed within the acoustic material, rather than reflecting back into the room. Among other benefits, this leads to improvements in speech intelligibility, audio clarity, and the overall energy...
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