Grilling Green | Hosting an Eco-Friendly BBQ
With summer in full swing the evening air is becoming increasingly fragrant with the aroma of grilled food and backyard cookouts. Summer is great time to get together with friends and family and enjoy a delicious meal cooked over an open flame, and there is no better time to start planning your next summer barbeque than now.
Disposable dinnerware is a convenient choice when hosting a cookout for friends and family, but the amount of waste that can accumulate from using paper and plastic products can be substantial. This year skip the paper plates and opt for reusable dinnerware to help reduce waste. Make clean-up a breeze by keeping a large reusable container filled with hot, soapy water nearby where guests can easily deposit their utensils when finished. Allowing the dishes to soak for a while will only make them easier to wash later.
Cooking out in the heat of summer is sure to require plenty of cold beverages. Rather than purchase individual bottles of water or store-packed iced tea, provide your guests with a self-serve ‘beverage table’ with pitchers of water, tea, or lemonade – again, avoid using disposable cups if possible. If you will be serving beverages of the canned or bottled variety, be sure to set out a container for each to keep them separated for easy recycling.
When it comes to cooking out, every grill master has his/her preferred fuel source, but some methods are certainly greener than others. While many will argue that charcoal provides the best sear and flavor, it is actually a very inefficient and expensive fuel source that also produces a lot of carbon monoxide. Propane and natural gas grills are much cleaner burning and are also a more cost effective option for your backyard barbeque.
Now it is time to fire up the grill and get to cooking. Save yourself time and energy from running between the house and the BBQ by cooking all of your food on the grill. Vegetables such as onions, squash, potato wedges, and corn on the cob are all great options for grill. Be sure to leave the vegetables large enough to cook evenly and to prevent them from falling through the grate. If you are grilling corn on the cob, try soaking the cobs in cold water for 30 minutes before grilling and then place them on the grill husk and all for an a great smoky flavor.
Whether you choose a red meat or white meat for your backyard cookout, you can still look for a green option. While shopping for meats, look for products that are certified organic or free range. These cuts tend to come from animals that are range fed and hormone free providing a healthier, tastier option for your meal. Some specialty meat shops in your area may also carry locally sourced meat options; choosing local products helps reduce shipping and transportation costs and energy consumption.
This grilling season, we hope you will grill green with some of these tips. At Millennium Waste, we believe in responsible waste management and recycling practices. If you have any questions regarding the waste and recycling services that we offer, please contact us at 309-787-2303 or visit us online at https://www.millenniumwasteinc.com.
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