It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  No, no, the OTHER most wonderful time of the year.  That’s right – it’s almost Summer, which means barbecue season! Unfortunately, barbecues can mean a lot of waste.  Here are some ways to green up your barbecue for those festive occasions:

-Go Local! Buying local ingredients supports your local farmers, but it also has benefits to you. It usually means fresher veggies and fruits – which means it hasn’t been on the truck as long.  If you shop at your local farmers market, you can usually talk to the farmers or their family directly about how their food is grown and which of their produce is organic.

-Consider Solar Lights. They’ve come down in price quite drastically in the last few years, and come in many forms.  Consider some solar light stakes, or these lovely Pagoda Solar Lanterns from Bambeco.  Just think how nice they would look strung all across your back yard!

-Get a Keg. Okay, if you’re going to serve beer, it makes way more sense to get a keg!  Your beer cost goes way down, while the sustainability factor goes way up. Drinking out of mason jars is also a great idea, as they’re reusable, washable, and it’s not as big of a deal if someone writes their name on one or breaks one.  If you absolutely insist upon the red cup, just wash them afterwards.  They’re not dishwasher safe but will hold up in the sink for 5-10 more uses.

-Use Those Disposables Up. We’re not a fan of using disposable anything.  Even if it’s recycled, it’s still so wasteful!  But you’ve undoubtedly gotten plenty of disposable napkins and cutlery from your favorite takeout place. Now’s a good time to use those up.  You can even wash those afterwards and use them a few more times.

-Consider Cloth. Cloth napkins will really class up your party, and won’t end up in the landfill.  They’re not expensive, and you can even make your own out of fabric scraps, old jeans, etc.
Now get out there and show your green gang just how well you grill!