Sustainable BBQ Basics

It’s time to fire-up the grill and enjoy smoky treats with your friends, family, and neighbors. Typical BBQs and picnics involve a lot of waste that cannot be recycled: soggy paper plates, red #6 plastic cups, and Styrofoam. It doesn’t have to be this way – you can avoid the waste and put on a memorable outdoor party that will impress your friends and inspire them to think about sustainability.

We  recently attended a BBQ that blew us away – not just because the food was wonderful (it was) – but because of how it was served. There was nary a single-use item anywhere to be seen.

The BBQ was thrown by Damon, a longtime friend of the GDA’s Program Manager and collector of antiques. His house is full of fascinating old-timey items, like pianos, vintage phones, phonographs, and a terrifying collection of antique dolls.

Damon is not the type to keep his collection behind closed glass doors – he uses his stuff. He decided to put his vintage dishware to use at his party, showing it off while keeping trash out of the landfill. He used real glasses for wine and mimosas, real plates, and real cutlery. Glass containers with lids were used for condiments and veggies, keeping bugs out while avoiding single use plastic waste. After the guests had eaten and drank their fill, some gathered around the antique television to watch space movies, and some helped with the dishes –  a bonding experience that helped show our appreciation for Damon’s low-waste event.

 

When asked about his experience, Damon told us it was great to not spend money on trash that would eventually hit the landfill – and he got to enjoy showing off his cool depression-era dishware. Damon explained that the 1920s and 1930s depression glass he used at his BBQ is plentiful and can be purchased for as little as 50¢ to $1 per plate or glass at local antique shops, or you could always hit up thrift-stores to build up your dishware collections.

You can have a sustainable outdoor BBQ or picnic too! Use our handy graphic and guide to help you plan for sustainable summertime fun:

1. Cloth Napkins – In the United States, we use over 160 billion paper napkins annually, about 2.5 per meal, which adds up to 4 billion pounds of paper waste. Avoid all the trash and provide guests with reusable cloth napkins instead! They look nicer and they won’t blow away in the wind. If you can’t give up paper napkins, at least switch to ones made from recycled material and be sure to compost them after use!
2. Straw-Free Drinkware – Americans use 500 million plastic straws DAILY, and currently straws and stir sticks account for 7% of all plastic products found in the environment. This single-use item can’t be recycled and often times, ends up making it’s way to the ocean where it harms marine life. Luckily, there are sustainable alternatives to the plastic straw! You can purchase reusable straws made from steel, glass, or durable plastic – most retailers even offer lifetime warranties on these items. Better yet: skip the straw all-together.
   

   Real glasses avoid #6 plastic, which cannot be recycled.

3. Reusable Water Bottle – Globally, humans are purchasing one million plastic water bottles per minute, and only recycling about 9% of those bottles, which means they’re ending up in landfills or littering the environment where it takes 400 years for them to decompose naturally. The easiest switch is to reusables. You’ll help save the planet, and your wallet! If you’re attending a barbecue, don’t be afraid to show up with a water bottle of your own! That way you won’t waste a water bottle if that’s all that’s provided to you. If you’re hosting – make large batches of beverages and serve them in pitchers or drink dispensers instead! People will be less inclined to waste, and it’s likely you’ll save money with this sustainable alternative.
4. Reusable Cutlery and Dishware – Another single-use non-recyclable item is cutlery. If you’re hosting, provide your guests with reusable cutlery and dishware. You may have to wash all of the dishes afterwards but we promise you’ll be doing the planet a favor. If you’re heading to a barbecue and aren’t sure what type of silverware will be used, bring your own set of cutlery! We have a reusable, dishwasher-safe bamboo set available for sale on our website.
   

   Using a silverware drawer organizer is a clever way to provide cutlery.

5. Picnic Basket – The beauty of a picnic basket – besides the fact that they’re actually pretty cute – is that they help eliminate plastic bag waste! Instead of showing up to a barbecue with an arm full of plastic bags, pack everything into a picnic basket instead. Annually, 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide, most of them never get recycled and end up occupying our waterways with the other billion pounds of plastic trash that now covers more than 40% of the world’s ocean surfaces. If you’re interested in purchasing reusable plastic bags instead, we have some for sale here.
6. Tupperware – Don’t forget reusable Tupperware for any potential leftovers! Switching to reusables means you can use less plastic baggies and cling wrap, two other types of single-use items. One of our favorite alternatives is Bee’s Wrap, a washable, reusable, compostable cloth that works great for food storage. Shop local and pick some up at GDA-certified Larder and Cupboard.
   

   Containers with lids keep bugs off your food while reducing single-use trash.

7. Local Food – Last but not least, don’t forget to support your local farmers! Shop farmers’ markets to find fresher, healthier, cheaper produce than what you’d get at your local supermarket. You’ll be supporting your local economy, you’ll have the change to try new varieties of produce you typically can’t find at the store, and you’re food mileage (the distance food travels to end up on your plate) will be much lower. Check out another blog of ours to learn more about shopping at farmers’ markets.