From the beginning the goal has always been to find a niche in the accessory industry that strives to work openly and fairly towards a sustainable supply chain with 100% material and product traceability, a nurturing work community and no compromise on quality.

This mission echoes my very own core values as well as being the ethos of the small, local, independent business I was building. When I set up my business I was unaware of just how urgent climate action is needed across all manufacturing points be they large or small. Not to mention ensuring that all legal and social compliance standards are adhered to so all workers are treated fairly and well.

When Covid hit in March 2020, I had to rethink the whole strategy of the business, not only in terms of keeping it viable and ensuring all retained their jobs.  Covid disruption was an opportunity to fully address sustainability issues within the business which needed reviewing.

New realities, new goals

Thinking about the business within the framework of sustainability, and learning how it impacts our planet, our team and our customers by addressing fundamental standards:

• Improving environmental performance by aiming to comply with International standards as well manufacturing locally

The biggest and most ambitious change for Nadia Minkoff London was bringing manufacturing back to the UK.

In March 2020 we have succeeded in bringing our entire jewellery production back to the UK.  We set up a UK based casting site, a UK based chain maker and a UK based plating shop.  All stone setting and finishing is done in our London Studio.

• Being fully transparent

Our company is now Sedex registered , we have also had our manufacturing sites fully audited and Sedex registered.

Not only is our supply chain fully transparent, with the help of Sedex we have been able to ensure that the set up of our manufacturing sites is both sustainable and planet friendly from the get go.

• Being socially compliant

Adhering to UK law of Workforce rights we’re making sure the working hours and working conditions of our staff must comply with Local and National Laws and regulations. Providing a safe and hygienic working environment, being respectful to our workers needs as well as their mental wellbeing and health.

• Being socially compliant

Adhering to UK law of Workforce rights we’re making sure the working hours and working conditions of our staff must comply with Local and National Laws and regulations. Providing a safe and hygienic working environment, being respectful to our workers needs as well as their mental wellbeing and health.

• Monitoring waste collection and disposal from manufacturing sites
  

This has been an area of great change for us and one we have been proactive in setting and monitoring.

All our makers have general waste and recycling waste bins.

All chemicals used are now classed as “safety” in the UK and can be disposed down the drain when finished with.

The acid we use for soaking the castings is known as ‘safety pickle ‘ and doesn’t contain sulphuric acid , it is nontoxic and not lethal.

The plating solutions are never thrown away but topped up.

Metal scraps are sent off for refining and recycling.

• Working towards 100% plastic free, planet friendly packaging
  

All our gift boxes are now locally sourced from the UK, they are 100% certified recycled and recyclable and filled with recycled material pads. Likewise all our padded envelopes and all our outer bags.

We no longer have our Logo printed on the boxes as this is plastic and not biodegradable, instead we use ink printed Kraft stickers.

We no longer use Sellotape unless necessary, opting for a kraft paper tape.

We’ve replaced all bubble pack for a green recycled and recyclable bubble pack.

We use acid free recycled tissue.

We run a paperless business opting not to print documents unless absolutely necessary and use recycled paper for printing

We aim to re-use any packaging materials we have be they boxes, envelopes, paper, tissue.

• Using certified recycyled metals and upcycling
  

Our UK brass castings are made of 100% certified recycled brass  and 100% recycled certified Sterling silver.

We have been able to source approx. 20% of recycled gold needed for our plating at this time.

Any castings not used in a season are melted and recycled for new designs.

We are working to upcycle and incorporate all our end of line beads and stones.

Ends of lines and samples are donated to charity shops regularly and various end of line materials are donated to various organisations, schools and clubs.

• Reducing wastage
  

We created our Zrow Lifestyle range to enable us to use every scrap of material we have in order to reduce any wastage. All items in this range are designed to be functional, useful and at an entry level price.

Our Zrow Lifestyle items are made in small batches as and when material is available. The designs remain the same but the colours and materials change continually.

Our target for 2023

• Reducing our carbon footprint is our long term target. Bringing our Jewellery production during 2020 to the UK in its entirety made a huge difference but we’re not there yet. Our handbag production is still imported but we are working on it. The hope is that all our smaller evening bags will be made in Europe from 2023 and transported via road.

• We’re hoping to find more local sources for our recycled gold supply so we can go from 20% recycled gold to 50%.