A business that isn’t sustainable is either exploiting the people or the planet for profit or was just a useless idea in the first place with no sales. We believe, we know that for anything to become meaningful and provide a legacy, it absolutely has to bode well with the environment. Not just locally, but globally.

When Mannakin first began in 2008, founder Roz already had a ‘waste not want not’ culture, stemmed from living in Africa for 10 years on the bread line. The secret she has bought into the mannequin industry is no different and that is the study of supply logistics (mannequins can rack up air miles) invitations to factories in China, where many mannequins are made and on the whole, the characteristics and attitudes of the people who trade in these silent sales people.

Her look into the industry cried chaos, with greenwashing all around. What she discovered, what she knew and something now etched deep within ‘Mannakin Culture’ is that the most sustainable mannequin is the one right in front of you. Reuse, look after, repair and get really good at it. This is our essence and we are the leaders in this trend with our incredible collection.

Mannequin Carbon Footprint

We hire mannequins and sell a few, unlike many other companies who just sell. They are linear, we are circular. Meaning that our mannequins spin round in circles, removing the manufacturing and transportation out of the equation. This drastically reduces our carbon footprint as our activities are limited to within the UK.

Image source – Know Carbon – link

 

Life Cycle of a Mannequin

Like anything, you’d expect most things to last. Being well built or constructed in the first place can ensure, that if looked after, will literally go on forever. So whilst the handling and general care and consideration of any item will prolong the life cycle, other factors such as the original materials and construction, plays a major role in the durability. For reference – many of our hire mannequins have been either purchased second hand and renovated or sent to us via our many retail group partners around the globe and whist the majority are around 15-20 years old, we have some, still in use of over 45 years old. Interestingly, in the fight to be sustainable, or be produced out of materials that can be ‘recycled’, the modern ‘green’ mannequins we’ve seen, shatter easily and won’t have a long life span. You may argue that the materials can be recycled, but therein lies the problem, the carbon footprint will be greater if a recycling process is bought into the equation.

The Manufacture & Materials of Mannequins

Mannequins are made from fibre glass, polystyrene, wood, papier mache, high-density polyethylene or polyurethane and resin. Once formed into a mannequin, we believe this is where the reuse and care comes in. We are not mannequin manufacturers and so have not conducted any studies into the environmental aspects of these materials, but again, we stress that the most sustainable mannequin you will ever own, is the one right in front of you. Hence our large collection of mannequins that can be used time and time again.

Mannakin Logistics

Wherever possible and according to clients needs, we use an overnight courier or pallet service to transport our mannequins. Therefore they are being grouped together and moving together, efficiently with other goods, making it cost effective. Whereas some clients may need delivery at certain times and on certain days, these trips are serviced by our own delivery vehicles.

We keep our emissions low, operate in a rural location and our biggest sustainable and environmental impact is our culture of keeping mannequins out of the bin and keeping them looking great for many years to come.