Welcome to the inside scoop—where we pull back the curtain on what it means to run a sustainable shop like Mudd House Mercantile. If you've ever wondered how the products in our store make their way from a maker's hands to your home, you're in the right place. This isn’t just about clean packaging and compostable labels (though we’re into those too). It’s about heart, humor, color, quality—and a whole lot of intention.
At Mudd House Mercantile, sustainability meets soul. Rooted in the earth (Mudd), grounded in purpose (House), and inspired by timeless trade (Mercantile), we curate everyday essentials that feel good to use—and do good for the planet. Our sustainable shop is more than a marketplace—it’s a mission.
Founded in 2018 by the Mudd sisters, our journey began with a simple realization: we were using far too much plastic. That sparked a search for better alternatives, which quickly grew into something more—a vision for a better way to shop. We launched our online sustainable shop and started hosting pop-up markets to connect with like-minded folks. Today, we’re proud to be one of the small-but-mighty sustainable stores helping people make ethical, colorful, low-waste choices.
Curating with Care (and Color!)
We’re not your average zero-waste store—and that’s on purpose. While we absolutely love kraft paper and clean minimalist packaging, we’re also drawn to things that spark joy. You’ll find bold colors, playful prints, and maybe even a mushroom-shaped salt shaker in our sustainable shop. Why? Because sustainability doesn’t have to be boring. We believe you should want to reach for your reusable unpaper towel or your glass spray bottle.
We look for products that bring personality to your daily routines—things that are fun, sometimes a little quirky, always high quality, and sustainably made. Whether it’s a vibrant dish towel or a handmade cat toy, we want every product in our sustainable shop to feel like something you enjoy using—not just something you should use.
We also take the time to test, use, and fall in love with many of the products ourselves before offering them to you. This helps us ensure that what we offer is not only good for the planet—but something you’ll want to come back for again and again. We’re big believers that sustainable products should work just as well (if not better) than their conventional counterparts.
And yes, we’re picky. If something doesn’t meet our values—whether that’s poor quality, murky sourcing, or greenwashing—it doesn’t make the cut. Our customers trust us to do the research, and that’s a responsibility we take seriously.
We also pay attention to the lifecycle of a product. Can it be composted? Refilled? Recycled? Reused? A truly sustainable product isn’t just about how it’s made, but where it goes when you’re done with it. We aim to stock items that leave little trace behind, because that’s part of the bigger mission—to protect the planet in every step of the process.
Our Curation Checklist
So, how do we choose what makes the cut in our sustainable shop?
Sustainable Materials
Is it compostable? Recycled? Biodegradable? Plastic-free? We look for products made with the least environmental impact possible—without compromising performance.Ethical Sourcing
Is the brand fair trade certified or working directly with artisans? Do workers earn living wages? Ethical shopping is about transparency, so we prioritize brands that are doing right by people and the planet.Quality That Lasts
One of the best sustainable shopping tips we can give is: buy things that last. A good veggie brush or a well-made dishcloth shouldn’t be disposable—it should be a daily go-to.Mission-Driven Makers
We love supporting makers and brands with strong social or environmental missions. Think give-back programs, BIPOC-owned businesses, women-led co-ops, or family-run workshops.Color + Joy
We’re allergic to beige-only thinking. Sustainability can be vibrant, lively, and full of expression. That’s why our product photos are bright, our packaging is fun, and our sustainable shop always has a splash of personality.
Brands That Inspire Us (And Hopefully You Too)
We’re honored to stock products from ethical brands that are changing the game.
Kantha Dish Towels
Handcrafted from repurposed sari fabric, these towels are one-of-a-kind and made through fair trade practices. They’re not just gorgeous—they’re empowering women artisans in India.-
Kantha Dish Towel
$12.00
Meet the Kantha Dish Towel Crafted from high-quality, natural cotton, the Kantha Dish Towel is as eco-friendly as it is functional. Made from upcycled saris, this towel isn’t just beautiful—it’s a sustainable choice for your kitchen or bathroom. Ideal for… read more
Dharma Dog Karma Cat
These wool dog toys and cat caves are handcrafted by artisans in Nepal using natural wool. They’re biodegradable, ethical, and made with your pet's wellness in mind.-
Dharma Dog Stick Toy
$12.00
The Eco-Friendly Chew & Fetch Dog Toy Your Pup Will Love! Looking for a safe and durable wool dog toy? Meet the Dharma Dog Stick Toy! Made from natural, eco-friendly products, this plastic-free dog toy is perfect for chewing and… read more
Yay for Earth
A cult-favorite sustainable skincare brand with simple, earth-based ingredients and minimal packaging. The face lotion is rich, healing, and zero-waste perfection.-
Yay For Earth Face Lotion
$24.00
Your Go-To for Nourished, Glowing Skin! Welcome to the ultimate in natural skincare with Yay For Earth Face Lotion! This luxurious face lotion blends high-quality, organic ingredients like olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, and pomegranate seed oil to keep your… read more
Who Gives A Crap
Yes, we stock toilet paper—and it’s the best kind. Made from recycled paper or bamboo, this company donates 50% of profits to clean water initiatives. That’s a very good reason to stock up.-
Recycled Toilet Paper
$2.00
Soft, Durable, and Eco-Conscious Experience the ideal balance of comfort and sustainability with Who Gives a Crap's Recycled Toilet Paper. Crafted from 100% recycled paper, this eco-friendly product is a favorite in our zero waste store. By opting for this… read more
Fat and the Moon
Handmade, herbal body care with reusable packaging, made by a woman-owned company committed to earth-honoring ingredients and time-honored traditions. It’s self-care that cares.-
Fat and the Moon Aloe Lotion
$18.00
Your Skin’s New Best Friend Discover the nourishing touch of Fat and the Moon Aloe Lotion—a carefully crafted blend of premium ingredients designed to enhance your skincare routine. Available at our zero waste store, this lotion features aloe vera, sunflower… read more
Why Ethical and Fair Trade Matter (For Everyone)
Being a sustainable shop owner isn’t just about what’s trending—it’s about what’s right. That means refusing to carry products made in exploitative conditions or mass-produced with no regard for waste.
Fair trade and ethical shopping play a vital role in creating a more equitable world. They ensure that workers receive fair wages, operate in safe working conditions, and are supported in preserving cultural craftsmanship and local economies. When you choose to support ethical brands, you’re doing more than purchasing a product—you’re contributing to a supply chain rooted in dignity, respect, and long-term sustainability. Every intentional purchase becomes part of a larger movement toward fairness, empowerment, and global responsibility.
Another reason we love fair trade and ethically made goods? They tell a story. There’s meaning stitched into every thread of a handwoven towel, and intention in every scoop of natural lotion. These are products you can feel good about—because someone, somewhere, is benefitting from your conscious choice.
So yes, that dish towel you love? It’s part of a much bigger story.
For the Conscious Consumer: Why This Matters
We get it—sustainable shopping can feel overwhelming. That’s why our sustainable shop is here: to help you find products that make the shift feel doable, even delightful. You don’t have to be perfect. In fact, perfection isn’t the point. But thoughtful, intentional shopping? That’s powerful.
When you buy from sustainable stores like ours, you:
Reduce single-use plastic
Support fair wages and artisan-made goods
Help keep waste out of landfills
Encourage better industry practices
Get goods that last longer and work better
Support small business
And hopefully? You get something you actually love to use.
We love when customers tell us how much joy their Swedish dishcloth brings, or how switching to our hair ties reduced waste and tangles. These stories fuel us—and remind us why small, beautiful, sustainable goods matter.
Let’s Chip In Together
Our mission is to make sustainable shopping more accessible, joyful, and real. We don’t believe in judgment or pressure. We believe in small changes that add up. No one has to be perfect, but if we each do a little, it adds up to a lot.
Every product at Mudd House Mercantile is chosen with care—from our hands to your home. We're not just an online sustainable shop—we’re a home for goods that matter.
Thanks for being here and for choosing products that reflect your values.
Whether you’re browsing for a new kitchen favorite, gifting something meaningful, or just trying to reduce your waste a little more each week—we’re with you.
Let’s keep making sustainable shopping fun, colorful, and full of purpose.
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