Make Your Barbecue Green This Summer

Everyone loves barbecues. The warm summer breeze, the mouth-watering smoky aromas, the sweet taste of homemade macaroni salad... it becomes easy to forget about being eco-friendly when you're too busy taking care of dirty paper plates and empty beer cans. So what can you do to avoid being too wasteful? We've got the answer: do your barbecue the green way.
Since Independence Day is around the corner, many people are dusting off their backyard grills to prepare for the celebration. What’s a better way to celebrate our country than to be more environmentally conscious this year? Whether or not your barbecue is a family affair, or a neighborhood blowout, you can mitigate the environmental impact of your party with some careful party planning.

Here’s what we suggest:

*Plan your food menu around locally-grown seasonal items. This supports local farmers and business, and also reduces pollution because the trip from farm to market is short. Plus, you’ll find the food tastes fresher.

*Choose the Right Grill The type of grill you use to cook will affect not only flavor, but also your eco-footprint. From a carbon standpoint, gas grills win out because natural gas and propane burn cleaner and leave behind less waste than charcoal grills. Charcoal may give your organically raised burgers that old-time-y taste, but the particulate matter from burning the briquettes contains carbon monoxide and other VOCs.
*Use cutlery, linens and dishes that are washable. Paper and plastic products may be convenient, but they take a huge toll on our landfills. And anyway, washable dishes always add a bit more elegance to the party.

*Clean up messes with green products. Many nontoxic cleaners can be made from simple household ingredients and are just as effective at cleaning up spills, stains and more.

*Keep your grill in great condition. Taking care of your grill properly means that it will last for many delicious barbecues to come and will be a healthier cooking vessel. Instead of petro-based cleaners, use soy and natural alternatives, which can work better than the chemical varieties. You can clean your grill with a barbeque brush and a paste made with baking soda and water. Or, cut an onion in half and rub it over the rack once it has heated up; then brush a bit of olive oil on it so the food doesn't stick.

Following these small steps at your next barbecue can make a huge difference for the planet. You’ll be shocked at how easy it is to make the green transition. The best part about it is that your guests will love the fresh, locally-grown food – without ingesting the residue from harsh chemicals used in typical grill cleaners. Do your part for the health of your guests and the health of the environment: try making your barbecue green this year!

Contributed by Susan Switalski owner of EcoMaids:

www.theawarenest.com/admin_businesses/view/43.