It’s almost that time of year again. Time to give the grill a good cleaning and invite friends and family over to enjoy the great outdoors with you. Cookouts can be a little harsh on the environment, though, since we tend to use a lot of disposable products when dining outside. Years ago, I bought a set of melamine plates at a garage sale (over 30 of them) for next to nothing. We use these sturdy plates any time we can. They pop into the dishwasher after the party along with the inexpensive flatware we purchased. (My husband hates eating off a plastic fork.) Using washable dishes like this isn’t always practical, though, so I wanted to share a few items I have found that are a bit nicer to the environment after your picnic or cookout is over.

1. Corn based compostable straws: They work just as well as the plastic ones and can be added to your compost pile! If I am drinking out of a can at an outdoor event, I always try to use a straw just in case a wasp or bee has crawled into my drink while I wasn’t looking.
2. Bandannas: Chica has long used inexpensive bandannas as dish towels in her kitchen. They now come in all sorts of colors and patterns and are easily tossed in the wash after the party to be used next time you need a lot of inexpensive napkins. I always prefer using cloth napkins at any party and they really aren’t any more trouble than paper ones.
3. Cutlery: If you do not have enough real cutlery to use for your party, consider purchasing these 100% recycled “number 5″ plastic sets to use throughout the summer. They are dishwasher safe as well!
4. Palm leaf oval serving dishes: I love the look of these rustic dishes made from naturally discarded leaf sheaths of palm trees. These would be great for a luau-themed party.
5. Corn based 12 oz compostable cups: Get these to match your straws. They can also be tossed in the compost pile.
6. 100% natural coconut charcoal: Using some brands of regular charcoal will release a lot of unwanted gases into the air while you cook. If you don’t want to use a natural gas grill, consider using this coconut charcoal as a more environmentally friendly option.
7. Flying discs as plates: Kids will love using these discs as colorful plates and then you can hose them off for playtime fun after eating. This variety allows the kids to decorate their own before dinner, a fun activity to keep them busy while you finish up the food. The customization will also prevent fights when it is time to take them home.
   

Additional Tips:
Download our recycling labels and attach them to your various bins to make it easier on your guests. You can laminate them to use them over and over again.

Clean your grill without using a harsh grill cleaner by simply heating your grill to high and then turn it off. While the grill is still extra hot, use a grill brush to get off all the leftover debris from the grates. Once the grill cools, wipe the grates down with a solution of vinegar and water.

Provide plenty of take-home containers that are 100% recyclable and can go in the microwave. I always like to have containers on hand for guests to take home extra food. Food is something I really hate to see go to waste!