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This article is based on the Mimco rating published in August 2020.
I sit here writing this article in my MIMCO boots, with my MIMCO bag and wallet beside me. Like many Australians, MIMCO is one of my favourite go-to stores for accessories; their pouches are an essential for a night out, and nothing beats receiving that little black bag for your birthday. However, lately, as I’ve become more ethically aware of my choices as a consumer, the question comes to mind – is MIMCO just another big fashion corporation doing more harm than good?
Environmental Impact: Good
MIMCO has environmental codes of practice prohibiting the use of hazardous dyes which pose an environmental risk. Their parent company has also improved its carbon footprint. MIMCO was given a score of 3.5 out of 5 for their packaging and waste action plan from the Australian Packaging Covenant – a federal government initiative that aims to reduce the amount of discarded packaging in landfill. Despite this progress, MIMCO still needs to strengthen their environmental policies, particularly with regard to setting water waste reduction targets.
Labour Conditions: Good
MIMCO received a B+ rating in the 2017 Australian Fashion Report. The report looked at criteria including payment of a living wage, transparency and worker empowerment. MIMCO has strong policies that support workers’ rights and they’ve been praised for making an effort to pay a living wage to some of their suppliers. MIMCO has also partnered with the Ethical Fashion Initiative, which aims to empower women in Africa and Haiti by reducing poverty through fair work opportunities. There is still room for improvement and MIMCO could be doing more to empower their workers.
Animal Welfare: It’s a Start
While MIMCO has committed to avoiding wool from mulesed lambs and they have banned the use of both fur and angora, they do use leather without specifying their sources. MIMCO vows that animals in their supply chain have been slaughtered humanely, and are by-products of other industries. Considering leather goods are their top sellers, this should be a concern for conscious consumers. In contrast, MIMCO’s parent company, Woolworths Holdings Limited, has been praised for its commitment to animal welfare.
