The Complete Guide To Green Grilling
The best thing about summer is the backyard barbecue to go with cold, refreshing drinks, some music, and of course our friends and family. However, your BBQ routine is doing more harm than you might think.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Barbecuing
According to The Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA), 8 out of 10 Canadians and 7 out 10 Americans own a grill. Scientists also report that a typical barbecue for four people releases more greenhouse gases than an 80-mile car journey. This is an extremely high number. Can you imagine the collective damage to the environment if we all used our grills least once a year? People choosing to barbecue must understand that it leaves a heavy carbon footprint, especially when grilling meat.
Charcoal Grills
Based on estimates, charcoal grills contribute three times more greenhouse gas emissions than propane-powered ones. In addition to high emissions, charcoal grilling releases harmful particles and compounds into the air which can lead to health issues. Burning coal emits about 10 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, far more than for cooking over gas, which emits 5.6 pounds per hour. Charcoal also releases the main contributor to smog.
Emissions From Livestock
People often barbecue meat. Everybody needs to know that livestock cultivation produces more greenhouse gases than all of the world’s transportation systems combined. Large amounts of land, water, and other resources go into livestock farming. Pollution results from the runoff of factory farms and livestock grazing. Commercial fishing disrupts fragile marine ecosystems.
Ways to Make Grilling More Eco-Friendly
1. Choose a grill that uses renewable energy
61% of American households use propane gas grills, 49% own charcoal ones, and 10% use electric ones. Among them, electricity is the most sustainable option only if the energy consumed is from green sources such as wind, solar, or hydro. If you are among the 37% of people who are thinking about buying a grill soon, opt for one that uses renewable energy such as solar power. These options can be affordable and do not require any non-renewable resources for power.
2. Lower your meat and seafood consumption
Swap some of the meat and seafood for fresh and healthy vegetables. You could even make the whole barbecue vegetarian and grill plant-based patties. If you do choose to enjoy some meat, opt for organic, grass-fed beef. Chicken and fish have smaller carbon footprints than beef or pork, making them better options.
3. Buy local
When searching for the best ingredients for your BBQ, go to your local farmers’ market. Food in local stores is more eco-friendly because it travels less to get there than is the case for large chain markets. Local produce is also often fresh, organic, and hormone-free. Not only will food taste better, but you will also be supporting the local economy. So walk to the local market and talk to the vendors to get the quality food your body deserves.
Learn more about why to shop local here.
4. Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils
Whether you are hosting a barbecue at home or in a public space, consider cutting down on the use of paper plates and plastic cutlery. Switching to reusable plates, silverware, cups, and napkins for sustainability. This gives you more to clean up afterward, but choosing reusable options saves you money in the long run while helping the environment. If single-use utensils are a must, try to use biodegradable ones.
5. Minimize food waste
Often, there are leftovers after a BBQ. Think twice before throwing this food in the trash. Instead, have the leftovers another day or turn them into a new meal. If you have to throw away some food, put it in the compost pile.
Bonus tip: You can use the compost pile to improve your backyard!. Learn how to compost at home here.
6. Clean the grill
Clean your grill properly to prolong its life and ensure that it won’t end up in the landfill. While the grill is still hot, scrape all the grime from the cooking and use nontoxic cleaners instead of commercial detergents that are full of chemicals. You can make your cleaner at home too. Learn how here.
Green Grilling for a Sustainable Summer Barbecue
Many people love to barbecue in the summer. If we put in some extra effort and make eco-friendly choices when we grill, we can help the planet and improve our health. Cheers to green grilling!
Sources:
https://www.fix.com/blog/an-environmentally-friendly-guide-to-grilling/
https://foodprint.org/blog/5-ways-to-host-a-more-environmentally-friendly-bbq/
https://grist.org/living/whats-the-most-eco-friendly-way-to-grill/
https://royalsociety.org/news/2019/07/summer-science-bite-out-of-climate-change/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/07/030707090445.htm
https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/meat-environment/
