How to Cook Up Sustainable Barbecues this Summer

Memorial Day weekend may be over, but grilling season has just begun.  From zero-waste, to solar powered grills there are many ways to make your summer barbecues more sustainable.    

If you have a grill at work, share these tips with coworkers.  Outdoor cooking sessions with colleagues are excellent for morale and are likely more cost effective than eating out.

1) If you’re in the market for a new grill, look for an ecofriendly option.   A grill operating on a single cube of wood, made by a French-Canadian company, is one charcoal and propane-free option.  By incorporating the methodology of solar cookers, the Helios Grill uses the power of the sun to heat the grilling platform.

2) Look for ecofriendly charcoal, if you’re not using a gas grill.  Lump charcoal harvested from sustainably managed forests and briquettes made without coal dust and unhealthy additives are the way to go.  The Lump Charcoal Database review from Naked Whiz is one place to start looking for ecofriendly charcoal.

3) Use reusable or compostable dinnerware and cutlery.  Instead of purchasing conventional paper plates and plastic tableware, opt for inexpensive and casual reusable serving items.  If you’re goal is to avoid dishes, use paper plates and add them to your backyard compost pile.  Or, if your city offers curbside composting or has a composting facility, look for compostable options.  Plates made from sugarcane and heat tolerable cutlery made from renewable resources are supplied through EcoGreenOffice.  Avoid combining compostable items with the regular trash, as when sent to the landfill even compostable options are unlikely to decompose anytime soon.

4) Grill up some vegetarian recipes.  From tempeh burgers, to grilled pizza, a meatless barbecue can still be delicious.  Even opting for a vege-based meal once a week comes with environmental benefits.  Feeding grains directly to humans rather animals is more efficient and going vegetarian means you can compost more scraps.  Expand you palette and search online for creative vegetarian grilling recipes.  

5) Opt for all natural grill cleaners.  A grill brush and baking soda is a simple solution, or shop for all-natural grill cleaners online or at a local store.  

From the kind of kind of charcoal you use, to what you cook over the flames, turn over unique ideas for grilling green this summer.

Sources

http://earth911.com/news/2012/05/25/how-to-plan-a-waste-free-bbq/

http://ecoble.com/2009/06/30/10-eco-friendly-bbq-grills-to-green-your-summer/

http://www.greenyour.com/lifestyle/food-drink/barbecue/tips/buy-eco-friendly-charcoal