There is a wide range of plastic free and refill options in and around Leeds.
What Are Refill Stores?
Bulk buy or refill stores are places you can buy food loose.You take as much as you want/need from a larger container and you can usually use your own packaging.
While these shops provide bags and they are almost always plastic ones. You will need to take your own plastic-free and/or reusable bags.
Tare
The weight of the container may make a difference at checkout. Some shops subtract the tare weight but other don’t. The tare weight is the weight of the empty container.
Kirkgate Market
Covered market hall and out door market. A wonderful fantasy of Victorian architecture. Loads of stalls
Open Monday – Saturday, from 8am until 5.30pm
Some Quick Facts
Built 1857,
host to Jamie’s Ministry of Food
has a Shop & Drop scheme
home to the original Marks & Spencer stall where it all began
fantastic architecture
There is also an outdoor market
Monday: Second Hand Clothing
Tuesday: Friday & Saturday: General Market
Wednesday: Asian Bazaar
Thursday Flea Market
For more information visit the website
Buy
Food & Drink
The Teapot sells coffee beans and tea leaves loose.
The NUT SHOP cake related stuff to candied peel to spices & nuts all sold LOOOSE. Plus decorative things and sprinkles. See more here
The Jar Tree
you can take your own packaging and buy just about everything you might ever need, plastic free.
You can see a picture diary here of all the products stocked including NOODLES!!!!
Or visit the website for more. They are continually updating the product list here:
http://www.thejartree.co.uk/store-product-list.html
And they welcome all suggestions in store too!
Address: Leeds Kirkgate Market, Unit BS1, Leeds LS2 7HY
Phone: 07470 033404 https://www.facebook.com/thejartree/
And there are other shops now selling loose nuts elsewhere on the market.You have to take your own plastic free bags.
It is fantastic for unpackaged food, meat and veg,
Plenty of stalls selling loose sweets
Personal Care
Soap & Solid Shampoo
“Home to the very best 5* reviewed, natural & handmade soap bars & bath soap gift sets for every skin type. From Shampoo Bars to Foot Soap Bars we have a soap bar & bath soap gift set suit you, & all are SLS & Paraben free. Plus natural liquid soap, handmade bath bombs, eco accessories, gifts & more!” Visit the website here.
Many of them come #plasticfree
They do my favourite Friendly Soap from Todmorden who make a soap and a shampoo bar that is as effective but far cheaper than Lush. Read all about them, here.
Maya’s
for
Cocoa butter
Shea butter
Yes they come in plastic but they can be used to make home made creams and lotions. Thereby saving you loads of other plastic. #plastictocutplastic. Read more here.
Sells
Fabric Stalls
A good range including Jacks,that sell end of line remnants of Yorkshire made wooden fabric. Read more here.
Plus sewing supplies stalls that sell bobbins and other stuff loose!
See a pictorial guide over at the Fb Page Plastic Is rubbish group
Supermarkets & Chainstores
Sometimes supermarkets can surprise you – check out the plastic-free and reduced packaging products here.
Don’t Live In Leeds
Loose Food A to Z
Find out if a shop near you sells bulk food loose. This is stuff that that normally comes plastic packaged i.e rice, pasta and salt. And yes these shops do exist in the U.K. There’s just not many of them.
Heres a list of towns with shops selling loose food.
N.B.
lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x
And before you go…
If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project.
