Shopping

The Manchester zero-waste shop hidden down an alley in a garden shed

Its address is listed simply as 'The Alley'.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 28th April 2022

Over in Levenshulme, there’s a person who’s set up a popular zero-waste store in their garden shed. – and we’re in love with how quirky it all is

Known to locals as The Sustainable Shed, the shop encourages residents to minimise their plastic use and impact on the planet, by creating a place where old bottles and containers can be refilled with eco-friendly products.

According to its owner, only a third of plastic packaging used in consumer products currently gets recycled every year.

But with a little neighbourly goodwill (and some help from his trusty shed), they are hoping to help change that.

Image: The Sustainable Shed

Accessed via a back alley, or ginnel, the shed’s address is simply listed as ‘The Alley’ – and when you pull it up on Google Street View, it can barely be seen.

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It really is a place designed to be discovered, adding a bit of adventure to your sustainable shopping trip.

Making sure to practice what they preach, at The Sustainable Shed all products are bought in bulk and then returned to distributors to be recycled.

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Venture inside, and you’ll discover walls full of refillable cleaning products, ethical shampoo, conditioner, and bathing products – including a large selection of the popular Faith in Nature vegan haircare range.

You’ll also find recyclable kitchen towels, laundry detergent sheets, and EcoZone soap nuts, the shells of which contain a natural soap, called Saponi, which creates a soaping effect when mixed with water.

Image: The Sustainable Shed

Elsewhere, you’ll find all sorts of eco-friendly personal hygiene products like shaving bars, exfoliating sheets, facial cleansing bars, and innumerable styles of soap.

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Bamboo toothbrushes, jars of body butter, and various other lotions and potions can also be found in plentiful supply.

Read more: Someone’s made a map of all the zero waste shops in Greater Manchester for the eco-conscious during lockdown

Surprisingly full for such a small space, but not to the extent where you have to watch your step as you move around, you really can find everything you need here to help you live a more sustainable and eco-friendly life.

Open on the weekends only, pop down between 11am-2pm on Fridays, 11am-4pm Saturdays and 11am-3pm Sundays to get your eco fix at what must be the most unusual and quirky zero waste shop in Manchester.

Feature image – The Sustainable Shed

Shopping

Tesco is trialling giving away expired food to shoppers for FREE at the end of the day

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Tesco reduced

Tesco has begun trialling giving away food that’s close to expiring away to shoppers for free at the end of the day.

You’ve heard of reduced-price food, but now Tesco is taking things one step further.

Food waste continues to be a growing problem, with the latest Government statistics revealing that the UK throws away approximately 9.52 million tonnes of food every year, which is why Tesco has decided to begin a trail at selected Express stores nationwide where it gives away some already-discounted ‘yellow sticker’ items for free after 9:30pm, reports The Telegraph.

Tesco is one of the UK’s major supermarket chains with a partnership to send surplus food to food poverty charities and foodbanks.

Although the chain is already donating its expired food, bosses say they are taking this next step to try to meet its goal to halve food waste by the end of this year.

Tesco reduced
Tesco is trialling giving away expired food for free to shoppers at the end of the day / Credit: The Manc Group

During this new trial – which is currently underway at selected stores across the UK – the company said the expiring food would be offered to charities and shop workers first, before customers could take it home for free.

Usually the items would be marketed at a cut-off of a 90% reduction, but under the new system – which is the first of its kind in the UK – food will be free of charge.

“We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste,” a Tesco spokesperson commented on the trail.

“In all our stores we offer unsold surplus food to charities and community groups, donating millions of meals each month.

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“This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.”

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Shopping

You’ll soon be able to get your own at-home Reformer Pilates machine from Aldi’s middle aisle

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The legendary Aldi middle aisle strikes again.

There’s no denying that Pilates is one of the most popular workouts of the moment, especially the Reformer discipline, which is even being hailed as the ultimate workout for 2025, with social media currently flooded with influencers taking up the practice and new Reformer Pilates studios popping up left, right, and centre across Greater Manchester and the UK.

If you’re unfamiliar with what Reformer Pilates is, it’s a low-impact form of Pilates exercise performed on a specialised Reformer machine – which adds resistance to exercises, making it suitable for various different fitness levels – and it focuses on strength, flexibility, core stability, and overall body awareness.

But while popular, there’s also no denying that it’s expensive.

Aldi is launching a collection of Pilates products in the middle aisle next weekend / Credit: Aldi

Though many people see their choice of workout as something they prioritise and budget for, for others, the price of regular Reformer Pilates classes are not financially feasible.

Which is why the news that you’ll soon be able to pop down to your local Aldi store, head to the middle aisle, and pick up your own Reformer Pilates machine to take home with you that very same day, is music to our ears.

In a UK supermarket first, Aldi is bringing Reformer Pilates to the middle aisle, and it’s perfect for those looking to elevate their fitness routines in a long-term affordable way, as it offers professional-grade workouts without leaving the house.

Featuring adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands, adjustable height settings, smooth gliding functionality, transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities, Aldi says its versatile Reformer Pilates Machine ‘caters to all fitness levels’, making it a must-have addition to any home gym or exercise space.

Aldi outside
Outside an Aldi store / Credit: Aldi Corporate

It even comes complete with an introductory exercise chart too, so whether you’re looking to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.

The viral Reformer Pilates Machine has already taken the internet by storm when it launched in Australia last year, with Brits begging the budget supermarket to bring it across the pond, and now it’s finally set to launch in UK Aldi stores nationwide on Sunday 25 May.

The Reformer Pilates Machine will set you back £149, which we know isn’t cheap, let’s say, but it’s certainly cheaper in the long run if you’re an avid Pilates practicer.

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Shoppers better limber up though, as is the case with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if you’re keen to get your hands on a machine, you’ll need to act fast.

Head down to your local Aldi on Sunday 25 May and get checking that middle aisle.

Featured Image – Aldi

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