Along with my honest thoughts on some great eco friendly finds for our home, I’ve also included a few tips that I think would help if you’re on the road to a greener lifestyle.
1. SPENDING MORE TIME IN THE OUTDOORS
Spending more time in the outdoors and encouraging our children to do so, too, keeps us connected to what really matters and the things we should be protecting more: the earth. Good education starts in our very childhood, in our very own homes.2. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
One easy task here could be limiting the amount of meat we eat. Flying less, driving electric, choosing staycations instead of long haul holidays, reducing waste, the list could go on, but as long as we truly believe in the necessity of working on this, we remain a good example to future generations.3. CHANGING SHOPPING HABITS
This is possibly the most complex challenge the world is facing as we live in a society driven by consumerism. I do believe though that the less we buy and the more quality we invest in, the happier we are long term. Ditch fast fashion – easier said than done when retailers and their temping sales are literally around every corner (insert sad emoji face); invest instead in timeless pieces and quality sustainable fabrics. When it comes to our homes, there are ways we can improve our lifestyle, especially on sensitive matters such as waste and greener practices.
For the past few years our family, especially since we became parents, tried to give it more thought to recycling practices, reusing things around us, reducing plastic etc. One newly launched platform that ticks every single little green box on my sustainability list is Bower Collective, a website which is very easy to navigate, focusing on products that ‘look good, feel good and help you eliminate waste’. That’s their promise and I’ve been testing lots of their items for cleaning, bathroom, kitchen and beauty. You’ll find everything from recyclable electric toothbrush heads and biodegradable washing powder to bamboo toilet roll, as well as the refillable dispensers to store them in.
"We are here to make sustainable living simple and accessible for everyone. Our inspiration is the Bowerbird – famous for recycling brightly coloured plastic scraps to decorate its nest, or Bower".
4. STICKING TO WHAT WORKS FOR US AND THE PLANET
Big words, I know! Each time I hear someone mentioning our planet, I immediately think of big actions and initiatives. But then I realise, the beauty of embracing a more sustainable lifestyle is actually in our small steps which lead to these big changes. For example, when you find an eco service or product that works, turn its purchase process into a habit. After testing them for weeks now, I know I’ll be going back to Bower Collective once I run out of my current cleaning or beauty products because for me the platform works and delivers to its promise. The process of replenishing is convenient not only for me, a busy parent, it is convenient for everyone who wishes to make a difference. If you don’t know where to start, there are Starter Kits options which include key products you need to start eliminating waste from your home and living a more sustainable life.
Reusable bread bag
I live with a baker enthusiast and we eat tons of bread, but never had a bread bag. I find it absolutely brilliant as we can store bread for 3 days. Plus it’s a great way to reduce your environmental footprint! According to Bower Collective this reusable bag was initially designed to keep bread as fresh as possible. Regardless of what our needs are, this bag can also be used as a fruit and vegetable bag, cosmetic bag, pencil case and much more! Cotton is a natural fiber that lets bread breathe.
Say goodbye to mould! 
Reusable glass dispensers for Fragrance Free Sanitising Hand Wash Refill 1L and Sanitising Hand Wash Lime and Aloe Vera Refill 1L
Simply empty the refill pouch into the reusable dispenser. Once the pouch is empty, you then fold the used pouches up and store them in your pre-paid postal return box (included with every Order). Amelie is always eager to give me a band refilling the empty bottles 🙂 
Unbleached Parchment Baking Paper Roll
Can’t tell you how excited I am about this particular product!! I’ve been looking for a safer parchment paper for a while now and these premium quality unbleached, greaseproof papers are not coated with Quilon, which contains heavy metals like chromium that can be toxic when incinerated, instead If You Care Parchment Paper uses Silicone, derived from a natural element. Perhaps most importantly, the baking papers use no chlorine in their production, which means no chlorine is dumped into lakes and streams. 
There’s a great variety of eco products when it comes to all our bathroom grooming needs, from natural deodorants to soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, women’s sanitary products etc. So far I’ve tried a natural deodorant which works perfectly, the recyclable electric toothbrush heads detailed below, floss, a skin serum and toothpaste. 
Recyclable electric toothbrush heads! You heard that right! They exist 😉
Recyclable product & packaging – all we have to do is return plastic components in the pre-paid box for recycling. Each bristle is infused with Binchotan Charcoal which removes impurities from your mouth. Removes plaque, teeth stains & odour causing bacteria.
Plastic Free Natural Floss
Made from 100% compostable silk in a reusable glass dispenser & metal cap, it comes in a compostable paper and kraft box. Love it!
Natural toothpaste
I’m still working on reviewing it, so far it smells lovely and it’s made of natural ingredients.
Today, our lives couldn’t look any more different compared to previous generations that were able shop less by growing their own food for example. That’s why I have so much respect and appreciation for my parents’ hard work on their vegetable and fruit garden while still going to work full time and raising two children (who eventually left the nest). All their life they have strongly believed in reduce, reuse, recycle and instilled in us the same passion for a better and greener lifestyle. We don’t need a garden in order to make a healthier switch to an eco friendly house/home, nor more money, all we need is small, consistent steps towards better habits.
*This article has been written by Aly from 'All Mum's Talk' in partnership with Bower Collective, all words, images and opinions on the products are her own.