She also co-founded Kit & Kin, the sustainable, B Corp-certified family brand, which has just launched into the home category with its very own eco cleaning range.
How important is an eco lifestyle for you these days?
It’s so encouraging that there is so much more conversation and awareness about making more sustainable choices.
It’s very important to me to live in an environmentally friendly way and I try to lead by example and show my children small ways to lessen our environmental impact on a day-to-day basis.
They also learn so much about this at school, which is wonderful to see, and they actually end up teaching me things, too.
Becoming a parent made me think more about the future, and ultimately all you want is the very best for your little ones.
From an eco point of view, how does your lifestyle now differ from the early days of the Spice Girls?
I was brought up in a very close-knit family and was taught to really look after things – we also didn’t have the means to put anything to waste and it’s something I’ve been proactive about with my own children.
But yes, my lifestyle has definitely changed since those early days of the Spice Girls, which was such a whirlwind of tours and experiencing new countries and meeting new people.
I’m so much more of a home bod now, I love nothing better than being comfy at home and spending time with my family.
What kind of property do you live in?
I live in North London with my husband Jade, our two children and our gorgeous dog, Bubba.
We live down a quiet residential street, which is so peaceful, but I love that we’re not too far to venture somewhere with a bit more buzz.
For us, it was really important to have an open kitchen as it really is the hub of our home, as we cook together, eat together, listen to music and do a lot as a family.
We also don’t shy away from colour, and aren’t afraid to be a bit bold when it comes to decor.
In fact we have a green sofa.
When did you start really thinking green at home?
Becoming a mum really changed things for me, as I was becoming increasingly concerned for the environment and the impact made by my everyday choices.
I knew I wasn’t alone in this, so I wanted to find a solution which is why I created my brand Kit & Kin.
As parents, we are always so busy trying to lessen our environmental impact and it can feel quite overwhelming.
Being able to do something positive just by buying everyday essentials like sustainable nappies or refilling our cleaning products makes a lot of sense.
As a society, we are so much more aware of our impact, which is fantastic, and by making the right choices together we can make a big difference.
What do you do to make your home as green as possible?
For me, the best way to do it is by introducing small changes in your everyday routine that all add up.
We’re all busy, which can make it difficult to prioritise sustainability but simple things like making sure you recycle properly, reducing your plastic waste by refilling products, and of course buying eco-friendly and sustainable products really does make a difference.
Getting the kids involved is another way to make it fun and I have always made an effort to instil these values in them as they grow up.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when it comes to eco choices?
By believing that as an individual they can’t make a difference and not trying.
Every positive environmental choice we make adds up, and as a collective that difference could be huge. If we all try our best that adds up to a lot.
What one green thing do you do at home people wouldn’t expect?
We’re really into recycling our clothes and finding new life for them. I always remember Vivienne Westwood said that constantly buying new clothes stemmed from a lack of imagination, and that we can always find creative ways to repurpose and use clothes in a different way – and it’s something we really enjoy, too.
I love that Beau is now wearing some of Jade’s vintage jeans.
What would be the first step you would advise someone to making their home greener?
At Kit & Kin, we’ve actually just launched a plant-based, refillable cleaning range, so you can be more sustainable at home and ensure your house is effectively cleaned without the need for any harsh chemicals.
We have got 12 gorgeous products in the range that use naturally derived, non-toxic ingredients to protect your home naturally.
What is your go-to green gadget or thing for the home that you absolutely love?
I find our smart meter really useful in showing our energy consumption, so we can be a lot more mindful in what we use.
It really makes it real for the kids to see it, too.
What green fad or tech or gadget do you think is overrated?
I find the claims you can make around sustainability quite confusing, and would love some more transparency and consistency around these.
Where do you see eco homes going in the future, how can you imagine us living?
When I look to the future, I do feel technology can take us a long way in terms of finding sustainable solutions, but I also hope the future has a bit more simplicity to it as well, such as buying local and seasonal produce and being mindful about our consumption and what we do and don’t need.
How else do you improve your footprint?
I’m walking so much more with the kids, especially as the weather is so gorgeous and our puppy loves it – even though he never seems to tire, he has so much energy.
MORE : ‘An impossible challenge’: This is how much parents spend on summer holiday childcare
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