The Bare Alternative

@barealternative.bsky.social

31 Followers 3 Following

🌍 South Yorkshire’s Biggest Low-impact Lifestyle and Refill Store 🌊 🌳 332 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FN 🌱 barealternative.co.uk 🌻

Photo of neighbours sharing or handing over an item. Text encourages people to borrow from friends, family, neighbours or local community groups before buying something new.

Illustrated graph comparing the approximate cost of using a metal safety razor versus a cartridge razor over a 24-month period. The graph shows the metal safety razor costing more initially but remaining much cheaper over time because replacement blades cost only £1 per pack of five. A note explains that figures are illustrative and based on typical UK prices.

Cover slide reading "The plastic-free shaving swap that can save you money." Text explains that over 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away every year and that switching to a metal safety razor can reduce plastic waste, save money over time and provide a great shave. A metal safety razor is pictured on a light background.

Laundry detergent sheet alternatives available at The Bare Alternative. Shows Strip Wash Cotton Fresh and Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent Strips and Ecoleaf Lavender Non-Bio Laundry Detergent, highlighting lightweight, compact alternatives to plastic laundry bottles.

A selection of low-waste laundry alternatives arranged together, including a refill jar of washing powder, laundry detergent sheets, reusable laundry egg and eco-friendly laundry products beside folded clothes. Text reads: “Your laundry routine doesn’t need a plastic bottle. Day 19: Choose laundry sheets or powder.”

Photograph showing a pair of well-worn jeans ready to be repaired on a table beside a sewing machine. Text encourages viewers to wear clothes for longer, choose natural fibres where possible, buy second-hand when they can and repair clothing before replacing it. The slide finishes by reminding viewers that looking after the clothes they already own is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste.

Video of Burtie from The Flawed Project explaining that many clothes combine natural and synthetic fibres, that some fabrics release microplastics during washing, and recommending buying second-hand where possible when looking for more sustainable clothing choices.

Text reads: "One small choice. Less plastic in our clothes. Day 18. Choose natural fibres. Small change. Big impact." Background shows natural clothing fabrics in neutral colours with Plastic Free July branding.

A walkthrough of The Bare Alternative refill shop for Plastic Free July Day 16, showing how to make your own household cleaners using refill ingredients. The video begins by comparing a cupboard full of plastic cleaning bottles with a simpler low-waste approach before walking through the shop to the household refill section. Close-up footage shows White Vinegar, Bicarbonate of Soda, Citric Acid, Natural Bleach (Oxygen Bleach), Concentrated Soda Crystals and Borax Substitute being displayed, scooped and refilled into reusable containers. On-screen text explains the common uses of each ingredient, including removing limescale, cleaning glass, deodorising, stain removal, laundry care and heavy-duty cleaning. The reel highlights refill shopping, reducing single-use plastic packaging, reusing containers, buying only what you need and creating a simpler, lower-waste cleaning cupboard in Sheffield.

Infographic explaining how refill shops reduce packaging waste by receiving larger containers directly from manufacturers. Diagram showing reusable shampoo bottles being refilled instead of replacing single-use plastic bottles. Educational content about refill shopping and low-waste living.

Plastic Free July Day 15 educational carousel introducing shampoo bars as a sustainable bathroom swap. Illustration of a shampoo bar with natural ingredients alongside a reusable refill bottle. Text encourages switching from plastic shampoo bottles to shampoo bars or refill shampoo to reduce plastic waste.

Video showcasing a previous Pollen Market at Castlegate Grey to Green in Sheffield. The footage shows visitors browsing independent market stalls, local makers, artisan businesses, food vendors and the vibrant community atmosphere in one of Sheffield's best-known outdoor spaces.

Promotional poster for Pollen Market at Castlegate Grey to Green in Sheffield. The poster advertises a community market featuring local independent businesses, makers, food and shopping, with The Bare Alternative attending on Sunday 19th July 2026.

The Bare Alternative stall at Sheffield's Big Vegan Market at The Steamworks in Sheffield city centre. The display is filled with fully vegan, low-waste everyday essentials including personal care, household and sustainable lifestyle products. Text on the image reads "We're back! Sheffield's Big Vegan Market 2."

This video follows our weekly plastic-free food shop at a local greengrocers. It begins with us packing a reusable cardboard vegetable box and paper bags before leaving home. On the way, we return reusable glass milk bottles to a local corner shop. We then browse a wide selection of loose fruit and vegetables, including seasonal nectarines, choose locally sourced produce where possible, pick up eggs in paper cartons, and pack everything into our reusable box. We chat with the greengrocer before heading home with a week of fresh food. The Reel highlights buying unwrapped produce, reducing plastic packaging, supporting local businesses, shopping seasonally, reducing food waste, and using the same buy only what you need approach as refill shopping.

A collection of photos from The Bare Alternative in Sheffield showing events from May and June, including stock that fell from a delivery lorry, water damaged products following a leak from the flat above the shop, repaired clothing returned after mending, new products and restocked shelves, a framed picture left behind as an unexpected customer donation, and a reorganised drinks section that has been updated to make room for future additions.

A behind the scenes video from The Bare Alternative, an independent low-waste refill shop in Sheffield, showing how SESI refill products are delivered and reused as part of a circular supply chain. Empty 20 litre cleaning product containers, olive oil containers and cardboard packaging are collected for return to SESI before freshly filled containers arrive. Products are poured into refill dispensers ready for customers to refill their own containers. The video also shows the June refill total of 604 plastic-free refills and a 2026 total of 5209 single-use bottles and packaging items saved from SESI product refills, before introducing the concept of a circular supply chain and future container tracking.

A promotional graphic for a new blog post from The Bare Alternative. Four photos show refill shopping products, arranged in a grid around the headline "New Blog Post – Can Refill Shopping Save You Money?". The graphic invites readers to explore a guide covering 10 ways refill shopping can help save money, reduce food waste, buy only what you need, and shop more sustainably.

Video from The Bare Alternative, a Sheffield refill shop, showing a real weekly refill shop and how refill shopping can fit into everyday life. The video includes white rice being poured into a reused yoghurt pot that holds around one kilogram, dried papaya being weighed into a small reusable jar, and bodywash being refilled into a donated bottle that has been reused many times. Additional clips show refill products being weighed on scales, labelled, and checked out at the till before revealing a receipt with a total spend of just under £30. The video demonstrates buying different quantities based on individual household needs, reusing containers, reducing packaging waste, stocking up on everyday essentials, and buying only what is needed. The video promotes refill shopping, reusable containers, household essentials, low-waste living, sustainable shopping, household budgeting, and local shopping in Sheffield.

A series of images showcasing Sheffield Apple Juice at The Bare Alternative. The photos show bottles displayed on the shop shelf, apples growing in local orchards, and deliveries arriving by cargo bike. Additional images highlight the journey from surplus Sheffield apples to finished juice, the role of community orchards, and how every bottle helps reduce food waste while supporting the care and maintenance of orchards across the city. The final images show the refreshed drinks section where all beverages are now displayed together.

Carousel from The Bare Alternative, a Sheffield refill shop, explaining how refill shopping helps save money beyond just product pricing. The slides highlight three main benefits: stocking up on household essentials so customers run out less often, buying only the exact amount needed to reduce overbuying and waste, and supporting better meal planning by allowing flexible quantities of food staples and household products. Images show refill products being poured into reusable containers, weighed on scales, and stored in jars. The carousel also includes a slide explaining the wider impact of shopping locally, noting that more money stays within the local economy when customers choose refill and independent shops. The post promotes refill shopping, low-waste living, saving money, household budgeting, food staples, household cleaning products, and sustainable shopping in Sheffield.

A video showing new refill products available at The Bare Alternative refill shop in Sheffield. The reel begins with vegan marshmallows being dispensed into a reusable jar. Next, chocolate-coated peanuts are shown as a temporary replacement while Mz Gemz are unavailable, followed by chocolate-coated marzipan, which was chosen through a customer poll. The video then shows additions to the tea section, highlighting an expanded Yogi Tea range after the popularity of Dragonfly teas. Bio washing powder is shown being dispensed in the household refill area, highlighting a refill option designed to help tackle everyday stains and keep laundry fresh. The reel finishes with butter beans being dispensed in the grains section after customer requests to replace soy beans. The video showcases low-waste shopping, refill food products, refill household essentials, and community-led product choices. All featured products are available both in store and online at The Bare Alternative.

A video from The Bare Alternative showing a comparison between refill laundry liquid and conventional supermarket laundry liquids. The video begins with a customer refilling a reusable container from a laundry liquid dispenser before exploring laundry products on supermarket shelves. Ingredient labels from supermarket products are shown, highlighting optical brighteners, preservatives and fragrance allergens. The video then returns to the refill dispenser and product information, explaining that the refill laundry liquid uses a simpler formulation focused on cleaning performance. Throughout the video, on-screen text explains that refill laundry liquid can be cheaper, reduces plastic waste, allows customers to reuse containers and supports low-waste living. The video promotes sustainable shopping, refill products and plastic-free alternatives in Sheffield.

A video filmed inside The Bare Alternative showing the shop's seed dispensers. The video introduces a new refill product, hulled hemp seeds, which are now available alongside sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and linseed. A container is filled with hemp seeds from the dispenser and then weighed at the counter to show the cost of the refill. On-screen and spoken information explains that hemp seeds are soft, slightly nutty, easy to add to porridge, yoghurt, smoothies, salads, and baking, and are a source of plant-based protein, fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids. The video encourages customers to bring their own container and try refill shopping.

Carousel cover image with the heading "3 more ways refill shopping saves you money". Background shows refill products and reusable containers in a Sheffield refill shop. The slide introduces a carousel about saving money through refill shopping and smarter everyday shopping habits.

A video showing the May refill update at The Bare Alternative refill shop in Sheffield. The video highlights 980 SESI refills this month and 4605 refills so far this year. It introduces SESI Hand and Body Lotion, now available as part of the refill skincare range. The footage shows the refill station in-store, SESI branding, and a bottle being filled. On screen text explains that the lotion is unscented, made with organic aloe vera, shea butter and plant oils, and is 98.9 per cent naturally derived. It also shows pricing of around £7 per 500ml refill and £1.40 per 100g, and notes that refill bottles with pumps are available for purchase in-store to reuse over and over.

Video from The Bare Alternative, a Sheffield refill shop, showing colourful refill products and low-waste shopping. Close-up shots show cereals, grains, pasta, nuts, seeds, sweets, spices, and household cleaning liquids being poured into reusable containers and weighed on scales. On-screen text explains “3 ways refill shopping saves money” and highlights that the shop stocks over 200 refill products for everyday household shopping. The Reel includes animated price comparison graphics comparing refill laundry liquid and other refill products against packaged supermarket alternatives. Additional clips show customers buying only what they need, reducing food waste, avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging, and packing products into paper bags for local home delivery. The video promotes refill shopping, plastic-free living, sustainable shopping, household essentials, food staples, and saving money in Sheffield.

Graphic for The Bare Alternative refill shop in Sheffield announcing that the independent low-waste shop is open as normal during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Image features a sustainable refill shopping environment with refill dispensers, glass jars, eco-friendly household products, plastic-free essentials, and low-waste living products available in-store.

Introduction slide for Noah Illustrates, a Sheffield artist creating illustrated greeting cards featuring playful artwork and humorous puns. The slide shows handmade card designs with colourful illustrations and funny wordplay, alongside text explaining Noah’s background in drawing and card-making for family and friends. Featured as part of The Fair Alternative at The Bare Alternative in Sheffield.

Illustrated introduction slide for Pahari Prints, a Sheffield artist creating prints and greeting cards inspired by Yorkshire and South Asian heritage. The slide includes artwork examples featuring floral and nature-inspired illustrations alongside text explaining the artist’s focus on heritage, belonging, and everyday stories.

A collection of photos from The Bare Alternative in Sheffield showing stalls and moments from Abbeydale Live and a local sustainable market, along with displays inside the shop featuring new makers and artists in The Fair Alternative section. The images highlight community events, independent creators and updates within the shop.

A reused ketchup bottle filled with washing-up liquid, labelled with a SESI product sticker, is held next to refill taps in The Bare Alternative low-waste refill shop in Sheffield. The image shows that any container can be reused for refill shopping.

Video reel featuring Greg from Sheffield Action on Plastic speaking at The Sustainable Market in Sheffield. On screen text reads “Why do sustainability events matter to Sheffield?”. Greg explains that events like this help people shop ethically and sustainably by bringing together local independent traders offering plastic-free, refill, and low-waste products in one place. The video includes clips of market stalls, eco-friendly products, traders waving, and volunteers welcoming visitors at the entrance.

Image shows a selection of handmade fabric bags and accessories by Cute Little Bags by Wendy, including drawstring bags and tote bags in various colours and patterns. Text introduces the maker and explains that Wendy creates handmade reusable bags and accessories using cotton fabrics.

Video featuring a clip from a conversation with Burtie from The Flawed Project at Abbeydale Live about what happens to clothes that cannot be repaired. On-screen text reads “Bonus clip: What can you do with clothes that cannot be repaired?” followed by “Clothes beyond repair?”, “It might not be the end”, and “They can still be repurposed.” The speaker explains that even textiles that seem too damaged can be recycled and turned into other things. The video encourages people to look for local textile recycling options and ends with the messages “Keep textiles in use for longer” and “There is always a better option than landfill.”

Video showing a rail of upcycled clothing at Abbeydale Live, featuring a clip from a conversation with Burtie from The Flawed Project. On-screen text reads “Yesterday we talked about textile waste…” followed by “So what does the solution look like?” The speaker explains that all the clothes have been sourced locally in Sheffield, made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, and linen, and have been repaired or reworked. Close-up shots show details like embroidered flowers on a skirt and hand-sewn mushrooms on a shirt collar. The video highlights a range of sizes from 6 to 24 and encourages repairing clothes, including darning jumpers, to keep textiles in use for longer and reduce waste.

Video for Earth Day featuring a clip from a conversation with Burtie from The Flawed Project at Abbeydale Live. On-screen text reads “Did you know it is Earth Day today?” followed by “92 million tonnes of textile waste every year” and “Just in the UK.” It then states “That is around 30kg per household in Sheffield every single year” and “There are so many ways to save textiles.” The speaker explains that 92 million tonnes of textile waste goes to landfill each year in the UK, and around 30 kilogrammes per household in Sheffield. The video ends with the message “Repair. Reuse. Rewear.” and “Refill means less landfill.”

Video recap of Abbeydale Live in Sheffield featuring local sustainability projects focused on clothing repair and home energy efficiency.

The video shows The Flawed Project explaining how to repair clothes, use fabric patches, and reduce textile waste by keeping clothing in use for longer. It includes examples of mended garments and information about repair services and workshops.

The video also shows Ecofit, a Sheffield based community interest company, explaining how they help residents improve home energy efficiency by making homes warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and reducing energy use. Contact options include their website, email, and local events.

The video ends with scenes from Abbeydale Live and highlights support for local independent businesses in Sheffield.

Text reads “The Sheffield Sustainable Market Spring Edition. Saturday 25th April, 11am to 4pm, Victoria Hall, Sheffield. Free tickets available via link in bio.” This poster promotes a Sheffield market featuring sustainable shopping, local makers, independent businesses, food, drink, and eco-friendly products. It highlights an event focused on low-waste living, supporting the local economy, and discovering sustainable brands.

Blurred display of tea products inside a Sheffield refill shop with the text “Something new is brewing”, creating a sense of anticipation around new stock.

Event poster for a community energy session at Common Ground, showing event details and inviting people to attend.

Photo of Abbeydale Road in Sheffield during Abbeydale Live, showing a busy street with people enjoying food and drinks in the sunshine, with live music creating a lively atmosphere. Text reads “What’s happening at The Bare Alternative” and “Clothing repair, upcycling, and energy advice right outside our shop”. The Abbeydale Live event poster is shown in the bottom left.

Graphic from The Bare Alternative, a low-waste refill shop in Sheffield, showing the March Top 10 best sellers in a ranked list. The list includes Hand Wash in Cucumber and Aloe Vera and Clementine in first place, followed by Fragranced Non Bio Laundry Liquid, Fragranced Washing Up Liquid, Bamboo Bobbi box of twenty four bamboo toilet rolls, Super Hi Fibre Cereal, Salt and Pepper Cashews, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Pecan Halves, Colombian Coffee Beans, and Dishwasher Tablets in the seventy pack. The design uses earthy colours and highlights popular eco-friendly and sustainable everyday essentials.

Photo of the outside of The Bare Alternative shop on Abbeydale Road with Abbeydale Live 2026 poster overlaid, announcing the event dates of 18 and 19 April and that the shop will be taking part.