Bare Market is a pop-up shop for package-free and reusable goods. It is a for-profit business with a mission to make sustainable product choices readily available. The shops offers bulk body care and home care, DIY ingredients and reusable personal and home care products. In this way the shop helps its customers reduce the amount of single-use plastic they buy and subsequently dispose of or downcycle.

Traditional cosmetics and toiletries do the most damage to the environment once they are washed away down our sinks. From our sinks the chemicals are released into our lakes, streams, rivers and public water systems, damaging wildlife and flora and fauna. And it is not just about chemicals, but also about plastic pollution related to the packaging of personal care products.

Bare Market is a pop-up shop for package-free and reusable goods. It is a for-profit business with a mission to make sustainable product choices readily available. The shops offers bulk body care and home care, DIY ingredients and reusable personal and home care products. In this way the shop helps its customers reduce the amount of single-use plastic they buy and subsequently dispose of or downcycle. All products are reviewed by a third-party cosmetic chemist to ensure that they are safe for the consumer and the environment and do not contain source ingredients that have negative environmental, health or economic impacts. Bulk products are sold at a significant discount compared to retail stores and offered to customers who bring in their own containers or borrow — for a refundable deposit of $2.50 — or purchase glass or aluminum containers from bare market. While bulk products are priced on a 100-gram basis, customers can buy as much or as little as they need or can afford. Finally, disposable product alternatives, such as durable dish washing brushes and body care products, as well as bulk powders (e.g. laundry powder, dry shampoo, and facial clays) are also available through bare market’s online store.

Ways that bare market promotes the circular economy include:

- researching products and source ingredients to provide options that are less toxic and rely on fewer resources

- promoting the supply and use of package-free and reusable products

- using an alternative business model that includes collaborating with partners to avoid overheard costs in order to determine business’ viability in various communities.

To make the enterprise viable during the start-up phase, the organization has relied on volunteers to help run its pop-up shops. A number of organizations, such as Patagonia Toronto, the Toronto Tool Library, Providence Health Care and the City of Toronto, have provided bare market with use of their space. A small retail business advisor, as well as a retail coach and mentor, have also provided business and marketing plan advice throughout the start-up phase.

As of June 2018, Bare Market has developed more than 60 pop-up shops, diverted 6,573 pieces of single-use plastic/disposables, and sold bulk products at an average price 20-45 per cent lower. Additionally, 99% of bulk home and body care items made in Canada.

By January 2020, bare market plans to begin retailing from its newly leased storefront, which will include an in-store cafe rescuing food surplus from waste, and space dedicated for workshops, classes, discussion panels and more.

Notable numbers:

- 60 pop-up shops by June 2018

- 99% of bulk home and body care items made in Canada

- 6,573 pieces of single-use plastic/disposables diverted

- 20-45 per cent lower price for bulk products on average