Fourth of July is one of the biggest barbecuing days of the year.  I honestly don’t think I know of anyone who doesn’t have plans because – hey – this is America and it’s what we do on 4th of July – right? How green is your barbecuing? Here are some simple tips to make sure your plans for this 4th are red, white, blue AND green!

Try to barbecue without the lighter fluid and you’ll reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds released into the air. Mixed with sunshine and other pollutants, those chemicals add to ground-level ozone. They can also taint the taste of the food you are grilling. (Mrs. Green’s thoughts? You can really taste it!)

If you plan to use charcoal, use a charcoal chimney and crumpled paper instead of lighter fluid – to light your barbecue fire. (Save money, keep the air cleaner!) What is a charcoal chimney? It’s a metal cylinder about seven inches across with a handle and a grate in the bottom that holds the charcoal.

Grilling with propane gas, natural gas or solar energy also reduces air pollution.

Please use plates, napkins, and forks and knives that can be used again to help save natural resources by reducing waste.

And, it’s cheaper to use a paste made of baking soda and water to clean your barbecue grill. It costs pennies and is completely non-toxic. Aerosol oven cleaners give off toxic fumes.

PLEASE get creative with decorating. Buy things you can reuse year after year – like the American flag and red, white & blue plates. Use pitchers of water instead of plastic water bottles, splurge on organic tomatoes and lettuce.  Minimize the waste you create in every way you can think of – for the sake of the planet.

 

From about the age of five, Gina has been on the path of being a disruptor for good. A dreamer at heart, Gina is madly and passionately in love with this great planet of ours and is tireless in her efforts to preserve it.