Green Culture

True, we’re in the business of creating sustainable products. But our true mission runs deeper: we strive to change the way consumers think about their purchasing decisions.

At MIO, we believe that’s a good place to start. We want sustainability to be something that everyone seeks. In creating responsible consumer desires, we can facilitate the development of a sustainable culture.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to leverage our understanding of design, manufacturing and consumption to create responsible products that are both beautiful and affordable.

MIO is dedicated to transforming culture through the design of sustainable products that are both beautiful and affordable. Founded in 2001 by the Salm brothers, Isaac (the numbers guy) and Jaime (the design guy), MIO seeks to bridge the gap between business and sustainability — to transform sustainable products into desirable products.

Today, MIO remains committed to their founding principle: the creation of what the Salm brothers call Green Desire. Green Desire occurs when consumers actually crave products that are sustainable and responsible. This natural demand could ultimately drive the cultural shift necessary to align consumer desires with what is good for the environment.

BEAUTIFUL

MIO products proudly accentuate and reveal the sustainable materials of which they are made. MIO designers consider materials in terms of their function and their aesthetic value. This honest evaluation opens doors; the creative process thrives and innovation emerges when social and environmental constraints are added to the mix. Likewise, local sourcing provides MIO designers with opportunities to innovate right from the production floor. At MIO beauty is the result of efficiency, functionality and greater choice.

SUSTAINABLE

Every material and process used in the creation of a MIO product is evaluated in terms of sustainability and social responsibility. Materials that fit into closed loop manufacturing systems are a priority, as are renewable resources such as felt and cork. Manufacturer selection is based on their labor conditions and practices, commitment to efficiency and innovation, as well as geographic location.

Similarly, material selection is based on recyclability via existing infrastructures or ability to fit into natural cycles and processes. Products are designed for disassembly so that the recyclable and biodegradable components can be easily separated. Finally, MIO designs products that encourage conservation, or active sustainability, throughout their entire lifecycles — not just during their creation and end of life. We continually invest in new ways of closing material cycles and reducing the impact of our operation and our products.