A
greener barbecue
From: Robin Blackstone, ENN
Memorial Day, the
unofficial start of summer and outdoor cooking season is right around the
corner. Unfortunately, outdoor cooking is too often connected with a tremendous
amount of waste.
Make this year's summer the "summer of green" with
these eco-friendly alternatives for a low-impact summer barbecue:
1. Washable
Dishes and Cutlery
We use paper plates and
plastic cutlery because we're afraid of breakage and we don't like washing
them. But this year, ditch the paper plates and plastic cups and use real, eco-friendly dinnerware. The risk of
breakage is minimal over grass. If disposable is an absolute MUST, use
compostable products like bamboo.
Over 3,000 tons of paper
towel waste is produced in the U.S. daily. One ton of them consume 20,000
gallons of water and 17 trees. Consider instead leaving a stack of cloth
napkins for guests and providing a hamper for collection and washing. If you prefer
not to buy cloth napkins, make your own.
3. A Low-Carbon Grill
Grilling is one of the
barbecue's largest contributors to the carbon footprint. Cheaper charcoals are
full of chemicals and contribute to air pollution. Instead,
consider 'natural charcoal' made from hardwood that contains no additives
thereby producing less ash. Natural gas comes from fracking, which also has
several negative environmental side affects. For a cleaner option, consider
purchasing an electric, infrared grill or even a solar grill. Check out 5 Green Grilling Options for a Smog-Free Summer.
4. Local Veggies
The freshest, most
nutritious food can be found at the local farmer's market. Purchase fresh
vegetables the morning of the barbecue and support a local farmer while you’re
at it.
5. Recycling and
Composting Bins
Provide a separate bin
for recyclables and food scraps making for easy transfer to municipal recycling
bins. In this way people can reduce landfill waste.
6. DIY Condiments
Ketchup, mustard, and
relish are staples at any American barbecue, but reduce waste by making your
own and storing it in reusable glass jars. Learn about 4 Homemade Condiment Recipes.
7. Natural Bug Repellent
Instead of using
commercial toxic sprays, make your own natural repellent or try one of these three chemical-free gadgets.
8. Solar-Powered Tunes
Invest in a solar
powered boombox to play your background backyard tunes. Use on-board Bluetooth
technology to stream your favorite station and the sun's free energy to keep
your phone charged!
9. Reusable Bags and
Storage Containers
Use reusable cloth bags
to bring home barbecue supplies. Minimize plastic garbage bags by using larger,
washable boxes or containers like those made by Rubbermaid for transferring
recyclables or carrying dinnerware without damaging it.
Read more at ENN affiliate, Care2.
