The Bare Alternative

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Yes, we’re saying the C word 🎄 Our first Christmas deliveries have arrived, with gift sets, advent calendars, festive teas and chocolates, and a new local Sheffield maker, Bullion Chocolate. All plastic-free. More soon, and sorry it’s been quiet recently.

19 Sept

August refill update: 1,010 refills through our SESI barrels, 7,448 for the year. 📊 Washing-up Liquid, Laundry Liquid, Laundry Powder, even Hand and Body Lotion, all on refill. 🧴 This one cost 79p. 💷

10 Sept

We've just started stocking Cascayde permanently! The Christmas tapes are back too, plus a new gifting range of wrapping paper and tape. Fact: glossy or foiled wrapping paper usually can't be recycled, but kraft paper generally can, and paper tape avoids the plastic problem of ordinary tape.

3 Sept

Here is a little look back at July and August. 💚 We had some fun behind the scenes with the photoshoot for our July SESI refill update, along with new additions to our gift wrap range and some lovely new products from Friendly Soap. 🧼♻️

3 Sept

And there was plenty happening around the shop too! 🛠️ We continued updating our food cupboard area to make space for something new, while our side shutters got a fresh coat of paint as part of the Abbeydale Road Beer Festival entertainment. 🎨✨

27 Aug

I chose the Fairphone 6 over a refurbished Pixel. Not for the camera, for the repairability. Twelve parts can be user replaced, including the battery, with just a small screwdriver. Five-year warranty, software support to 2033. Built to last, not replace.

20 Aug

I chose a new phone over refurbished. Not because refurbished is bad, but because a phone that can actually be repaired might outlast one I would have to replace again in a couple of years. Sustainability isn't just what you buy, it's how long it lasts. Part 2 soon.

New toys, new treats and a restock of old favourites! 🐾 We've got five new Green & Wilds cat teasers, plus Pawtato Knots, a plant-based alternative to rawhide. And yes, they're just as cute as they sound! 🐱🌱

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A little reminder that we have a Green & Wilds pet range! 🐾 We've not talked about it much recently, but we have eco-friendly toys for cats and dogs, made with natural materials including jute, felt and suede. Consider this your reminder! 🐱🐶

And for the chewers! 🦴 Our Green & Wilds range includes natural dog chews in different materials, textures and sizes, including antler, olivewood, ChewRoots, buffalo horn and vegetarian cheese chews. Come and have a look in store or shop online! 🐾

Dog treats with a second life 🐶♻️ BrewBix biscuits are made with upcycled brewers' spent grain and yeast, are naturally high in fibre and are perfect for treating or training. And you can refill them at The Bare Alternative! 🫙

6 Aug

📉 A few refill prices have dropped! Arborio Rice, Tropical Muesli, Red Kidney Beans, Mixed Fruit and Fruit Crunch have all come down in price, plus Wasabi Peas are back with a new supplier and are cheaper too. I'm also explaining what's happened with our apricots after another supplier change. 💚

3 Aug

♻️ It's time for our monthly SESI refill update! July added 1,229 refills, bringing our 2026 total to 6,438 single-use bottles and packaging items saved from SESI refills alone.

30 July

We're hiring! 🌱 The Bare Alternative is looking for a Part-Time Shop Assistant to join our team in Sheffield. If you're passionate about sustainability, enjoy meeting people and want to make a difference in your community, we'd love to hear from you. Apply: barealternative@gmail.com

30 July

We're looking for someone who enjoys helping people and creating a welcoming shopping experience. The role needs someone confident with customers, able to work independently, take initiative, and feel comfortable appearing in social media content. Customer-facing retail experience is a bonus 🌱

30 July

The role includes serving customers, maintaining the shop, refilling dispensers and helping plan and create social media content. Around 16 hours per week, with flexibility possible. Weekend availability is essential. Apply with your CV and cover letter: barealternative@gmail.com Please share 💚

27 July

Looking back at a great day at Pollen Market! 🌱💚 It was brilliant chatting with so many people about the vegan and low-waste alternatives we offer. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stall. We hope to see you again soon, either at another market or in the shop!

27 July

23 July

Do we really all need to own everything we use? A lawn mower, ladder or pressure washer might only be used once or twice a year. Before buying something new, could you borrow it instead?

23 July

Our local neighbourhood WhatsApp group has become brilliant for this. We've borrowed and lent everything from an emergency egg to ladders and tools. It's a simple way to save money, reduce waste and build stronger communities. What's the last thing you borrowed? 💬

21 July

The plastic-free shaving swap that can save you money 🪒 Every year, over 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away worldwide. Switching to a metal safety razor can help reduce plastic waste, save money over time and give you a great shave. We’ve broken down why it’s worth making the switch 👇

21 July

A metal safety razor only needs the blade replacing, not the whole razor. We stock everything you need for a plastic-free shaving routine: 🪒 Replacement Blades 🧼 Shaving Soaps ♻️ Blade Disposal Tins A small bathroom swap that can make a big difference.

🧺 Your laundry routine doesn’t need a plastic bottle 🌿 For Day 19 of Plastic Free July, we’re exploring lower-waste laundry swaps, from refill washing powder and laundry sheets to reusable laundry eggs.

Small changes can help reduce single-use packaging. 🌍

Day 18 of #PlasticFreeJuly 🌿 Many clothes contain plastic-based fibres like polyester, nylon or acrylic. Choosing natural fibres where you can is a simple way to reduce plastic pollution, but as you'll see... it's not always that straightforward.

I spoke to Burtie from The Flawed Project during Abbeydale Live about blended fabrics, buying second-hand and repairing clothes to keep them in use for longer.

Small changes really do add up. 💚

17 July

Your cleaning cupboard doesn't need to be full of plastic bottles. 🌱 For #PlasticFreeJuly, discover how a handful of refill ingredients can replace multiple household cleaners. Reuse your containers, reduce plastic waste and buy only what you need. ♻️

16 July

🚿 Plastic Free July Day 15 Did you know shampoo bars don't just cut out plastic bottles? They're also highly concentrated, meaning there's no need to transport all that extra water around the country. Less packaging. Lighter deliveries. The water gets added when you use it.

16 July

Shampoo bars aren't the only low-waste option. Refill shopping also reduces packaging by delivering larger containers directly from manufacturers, so the same bottle can be reused again and again. Whether you choose a shampoo bar or refill your bottle, every swap helps reduce single-use plastic. 💚

12 July

It's going to be a busy weekend! 🌱 We'll be at Pollen Market on Sunday 19th July with our usual range of low-waste everyday essentials. 📅 Sat 18th July 🕚 10am to 4pm 📍 Castlegate Grey to Green, Sheffield

12 July

10 July

We're excited to be back for Sheffield's Big Vegan Market 2! 🌱 We loved the first event and can't wait to return with our usual range of fully vegan, low-waste everyday essentials. 📅 Sat 18th July, 11am to 4pm 📍 The Steamworks, Sheffield

7 July

🍎 Plastic Free July Day 7. This is how we do our weekly plastic-free food shop. We take our reusable veg box, return our milk bottles on the way, then fill our basket with seasonal loose produce from our local greengrocers. Simple changes soon add up.

5 July

Here is a look back at May and June. 💚 There were a few unexpected challenges, including a delivery mishap and a leak, but also plenty of positives with repairs, restocks, shop updates and something exciting on the way. ♻️

5 July

3 July

♻️ What happens after our refill containers are empty? Here's a look at our partnership with SESI. Empty containers are returned, cleaned, refilled and put back into use as part of a circular supply chain. 604 plastic-free refills, bringing 2026 to 5209 single-use items saved from SESI refills 🌍

28 June

💸 Can refill shopping actually save you money? We've taken everything from our recent series and turned it into one easy-to-read blog. From buying only what you need to reducing food waste and smarter shopping habits, it's all there. Have a read and let us know what you think! 💚

www.barealternative.co.uk/post/10-ways...

28 June

barealternative.co.uk10 ways that Refill Shopping Can Help You Save Money while reducing what goes in the binThink refill shopping always costs more? You might be surprised. In this guide, we explore 10 practical ways refill shopping can help reduce household costs, from buying exactly what you need and red...

25 June

Wrapping up our series on refill shopping: Here's a peek at what I'm buying this week 👀♻️ A mix of larger refills for things we use all the time and smaller amounts of things only I eat. That's one of the things I love about refill shopping. You can buy exactly what you need, large or small 💚

24 June

🍎 Sheffield Apple Juice has a great local story behind it. Made from surplus apples collected across Sheffield, pressed and bottled locally by Regather, and every bottle includes a 30p contribution towards maintaining Sheffield's community orchards.

23 June

Meet Never Needlefelt Better 🧶 Beginner-friendly needle felting kits designed and made near Sheffield, helping more people discover a creative and mindful craft. Now featured in The Fair Alternative at The Bare Alternative 💚

23 June

We love that these kits make it easy to try something new while encouraging people to slow down and be creative 💚 Have you ever tried needle felting, or is it a craft you’d like to try out? 🧶 Tap ❤️ to show some love for Meryl's thoughtful creations ✨

💸 Refill shopping isn’t just about cheaper products… it’s about how you shop 👀♻️ It can help you: 🏠 Stock up on essentials so you don’t run out

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It also helps keep value in the local economy when you shop locally 💚

Most people think refill shopping is just about reducing plastic packaging… but there’s a lot more to it than that 👀 Which of these surprised you the most? 💬

💸 Refill shopping isn’t just about cheaper products… it’s about how you shop 👀♻️ It can help you: 🏠 Stock up on essentials so you don’t run out

🍽️ Buy the right amount for your household 🥗 Plan meals more easily and avoid waste

16 June

New additions at The Bare Alternative ♻️ ✨ Vegan marshmallows ✨ Chocolate-coated peanuts and marzipan ✨ Yogi Tea ✨ Bio washing powder ✨ Butter beans Many of these arrived thanks to your feedback, requests and poll votes. They're all available in-store and online for delivery now.