In recent years, there has been a growing shift toward sustainability, driven by the need to reduce the environmental impact of daily life. One company leading this change is Sustainable Haus Mercantile, a zero-waste, refill, and eco-friendly home goods store located in Summit, New Jersey. Founded by Janette Spiezio in 2018, this store embodies the values of waste reduction, upcycling, and package-free living. Through a wide range of innovative products and community-focused initiatives, Sustainable Haus Mercantile is playing a critical role in helping individuals adopt a zero-waste lifestyle.
The Origins of Sustainable Haus Mercantile
Janette Spiezio’s journey toward sustainability began long before she founded Sustainable Haus Mercantile. Growing up in a family that practiced sustainable living out of necessity, she learned the value of self-reliance early on. Her family grew their own food, repurposed daily items, and made clothing at home. These values stayed with her as she spent 30 years working in corporate America. When she moved on from her role as an anti-corruption officer at Prudential Financial, Spiezio saw it as an opportunity to turn her lifelong passion for sustainability into a business. In 2018, she started selling her upcycled goods at local farmers’ markets, and by 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, she opened her brick-and-mortar store.
A Holistic Approach to Zero-Waste Living
At its core, Sustainable Haus Mercantile is about more than just selling products—it’s about promoting a zero-waste lifestyle. The store offers an extensive range of refillable and package-free home and personal care items, from laundry detergent and dish soap to shampoo, beauty products, and handmade goods. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers to refill products, drastically reducing plastic waste in their households. This simple act of refilling everyday items such as soap, lotion, and cleaners allows customers to significantly cut down on packaging waste, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
The store’s inventory includes over 50 refillable products, with offerings that appeal to different aspects of home care and personal hygiene. For example, popular items such as Dip Shampoo & Conditioner Bars and HiBar Shampoo, Conditioner, and Face Wash Bars have become bestsellers due to their high quality, versatility, and eco-friendly packaging. These products cater to a variety of hair types, are free from harmful chemicals, and are designed to last longer than traditional liquid shampoos, saving both money and packaging.
Eco-Friendly Materials and Upcycling
Sustainable Haus Mercantile takes sustainability a step further by emphasizing the use of organic, recycled, and upcycled materials. Many of the store’s products are crafted from upcycled cotton fabrics, and even the thread used in these products is compostable. This ensures that, at the end of their lifecycle, these items can return to the earth without leaving a trace. This circular approach to product design is essential in minimizing waste and diverting materials from landfills.
Additionally, the store’s in-house offerings, such as the Sustainable Haus Handmade Bar Soaps and Everything Bars, are designed to be multi-functional and package-free. These bars can be used for body washing, laundry, and general cleaning, further exemplifying the store’s commitment to waste reduction. Other zero-waste cleaning options like Meliora Cleaning Products and Rustic Strength contribute to the store’s mission by offering effective, non-toxic, and refillable cleaning solutions. Get to know more how Sustainable Haus Mercantile is accelerating efforts and making a real difference.
Educating the Community
One of the most significant ways that Sustainable Haus Mercantile accelerates a zero-waste lifestyle is through education. Recognizing that sustainable living is not just about access to products but also about making informed choices, the store actively engages the local community through workshops, social media content, and public speaking events. Janette Spiezio herself frequently speaks at schools, environmental groups, and community events, sharing her expertise on how small changes in daily habits can lead to a substantial environmental impact.
The store also offers guidance on switching from plastic to reusable containers and adopting refillable product options. By educating the public on the harmful effects of plastic waste and promoting easy, accessible alternatives, Sustainable Haus Mercantile empowers individuals to take control of their consumption and make more sustainable choices.
Addressing Hard-to-Recycle Waste
In addition to providing refillable and zero-waste products, Sustainable Haus Mercantile has introduced a hard-to-recycle recycling program. This initiative helps customers dispose of difficult-to-recycle items responsibly, ensuring that materials such as certain plastics and packaging that would typically end up in landfills are instead properly recycled. This service aligns with the store’s overall goal of reducing waste and promoting responsible consumption patterns.
The store’s dish rental service offers a unique way for individuals and businesses to host zero-waste events. By renting vintage mix-and-match china, silverware, and napkins, customers can create memorable gatherings without generating unnecessary waste from single-use tableware. The rental service caters to events for up to 300 people, and customers simply return the items for reuse after the event, furthering the store’s mission to minimize waste in all aspects of life.
Innovative Beauty and Personal Care Products
Sustainable Haus Mercantile is also known for its range of zero-waste beauty and personal care products. From Hyssop Beauty Apothocary’s bath salts and face care products to Elate Beauty’s refillable makeup in bamboo and glass containers, the store offers a wide variety of eco-friendly options for skincare and cosmetics. These products are formulated with clean, non-toxic ingredients and packaged in materials that can either be refilled or composted, significantly reducing the environmental impact of beauty routines.
A standout product in the store’s beauty line is the All Good Sunscreen, a zero-waste, reef-safe sunscreen available in bulk for those who bring their own containers. By offering package-free and safe-for-the-ocean products, Sustainable Haus Mercantile ensures that customers can make eco-friendly choices without compromising on quality.
The Future of Sustainable Living
As more people become aware of the environmental crisis posed by plastic waste and overconsumption, stores like Sustainable Haus Mercantile are becoming increasingly relevant. Through its diverse range of products, educational initiatives, and commitment to sustainability, the store is not only making it easier for individuals to adopt zero-waste practices but also fostering a greater awareness of the importance of mindful consumption.
Sustainable Haus Mercantile’s focus on upcycling, refillable products, and organic materials aligns with broader trends in sustainability, where consumers are seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing convenience or quality. As the store continues to expand its offerings and engage with the local community, it sets an example of how small businesses can drive significant change in promoting a more sustainable, eco-conscious society.
Sustainable Haus Mercantile accelerates the adoption of a zero-waste lifestyle by offering innovative, refillable products, promoting upcycled materials, and serving as an educational hub for sustainable living. As more individuals and businesses prioritize waste reduction, Sustainable Haus Mercantile stands out as a leader in the movement toward a greener, more sustainable future.
