How to throw a Green BBQ: A Memorial Day Must

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day! Bring out the white pants! Summer is starting! And though clearly, we want to do our part to remember our fallen soldiers, nothing says a "Monday with no work" and "kick off to the summer" better than a gool ol' fashioned BBQ!

However, BBQ's can be very wasteful of the earth's natural resources; paper, plastic and beer. Now you might be wondering, "How do I do it differently? Better? Is it possible to have a Green BBQ?" The answer dear readers is yes. Just follow the tips below...

Recycle Beer and Soda Cans...
Most people will just toss them in the trash, so if you're hosting, make sure to put out SOMETHING that you label "RECYCLE" that people can toss their empty cans and bottles in. Then just toss it all in your blue bin. If your building or home doesn't have a recycling bin go to this website Earth911.org and they will help you find out how to get one in your area (the city provides them for free.) Plus, your local supermarket is usually a good bet for a recycling drop off point. If you're NOT hosting the Q, and you don't see a place for people to put their used bottles, be a good guest and do it yourself...find a trash bag or empty box and put a few empty cans in it as an example and voila...you've just saved about a billion beer cans from going in the trash.

Buy Compostable or Recycled Plates and Cutlery...
Please don't tell us you're using Styrofoam cups and plates. Please. Brands like Preserve and Seventh Generation make recycled plastic table ware that are way better for the environment than regular paper or plastic tableware. They sell them at Whole Foods and other party supply stores (or buy them at Amazon through this link.). They are good looking (they come in colors and natural bamboo), sturdy and not too much more expensive then the usual disposable plates, cutlery and cups. Or even better...host a high-class BBQ and use real plates and cutlery (and bite the bullet at the dishwasher that night).

Use real cloth napkins...
Go to Target and buy a few packs of colorful napkins and you will reuse them all the time. It really adds a touch of class to your soiree. Or if linen napkins are out of fashion at your
backyard kegger, then buy recycled napkins. (You can't recycle dirty used napkins and paper towels so it's a huge waste.) The same goes for tablecloths, buy a real one and reuse it. Those plastic ones are so flimsy they'll fly off in the middle of the party anyway.

Save the Dolphins...
Cut the rings on the beer and soda rings. If you don't you are a bad person. There, we said it. If you have a beach function this weekend then be sure to clean up all of your trash so it doesn't find it's way into the ocean.

Hemp beer...
It has no THC in it (it won't make you high) and hemp is a sustainable crop that can grow without pesticides, so it better for the environment that growing cotton and wheat. Anyway, the hemp beer has a nutty taste and will definitely be a hit and a conversation piece at your function.

Ditch the water bottles, serve water in pitchers...
Save the world and some dollars by serving water at your party out of a pitcher with glass cups next to it. OK, fine, or plastic cups if you recycle them. Then you won't be picking up half empty water bottles the next day either. Why you ask? Read our recent investigation of the water bottle issue.

Shop at the Farmer's Market for your produce-
Then you know the food is locally grown and way tastier and in season and not being shipped from Mexico! Here's how to find a farmer's market in your area.

BBQ in Season...
Right now is the beautiful transition form spring into summer produce. It's time for strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, tangerines, fresh herbs, cherries, fava beans, blueberries, green garlic, radishes, avocados, leeks and cherimoyas. Dsign your menu for the weekend around these ingredients. (Why is eating seasonal better? Check out our Seasonality post) And we're not going to tell you that you can't have a burger at your little BBQ bash, but why not offer up Veggie burgers too...so much better for the environment. (Why? Check out our veggie post).

When it's time to take out the trash and recycling...
Take it out in recycled trash bags, they sell them at Whole Foods next to the other compostable and recycled products. "Did you know that if every household in the US alone replaced just one package of 20 count drawstring tall kitchen bags made from virgin plastic with these 65% recycled ones, we could save over 45,100 barrels of oil - enough to heat and cool 2,500 US homes for a year. And, 824,800 cubic feet of landfill space, equal to 1,200 full garbage trucks and avoid 16,800 tons of pollution." greenfeet.com

Buy reusable decorations...
If you are the type to get up at 6am to put flags in the front yard then consider investing in your passion for decorations. Buy a flag or some red, white and blue bunting to fashion into rosettes or drape in swags. Control the temptation to buy paper and plastic disposable decorations, if not for the environment then in the name of good taste. Click here for some flag decor ideas from Martha.

And there you have it...everything you need to know for Green BBQing all summer long...so put on a bathing suit, kick back in a lawn chair, toss your beer bottles in the recycling bin, and sing it with us...Summer time and the livin's easy....