Grill a little greener

Make your summer barbecues a little ecofriendlier without compromising on flavour or fun

One of the most joyous moments of the great British summertime is on those days when the weather is dry and calm enough to have a barbecue. Salads and skewered meats sell out at the supermarkets and their aisles are bereft of disposable barbecues and briquettes.

However, all this haste can have a negative impact on the environment. You only have to look at the patches of scorched earth left in public parks, streets littered with plastic picnic debris, and the plumes of black smoke marring the blue skies of busy public beaches, to reconsider our collective approach to outdoor grilling.

The good news is that small changes can make a big impact.

Let’s start with disposable barbecues. They’re cheap and convenient, but according to the Home Office, disposable grills are responsible for 4% of serious accidental blazes. This alone is enough of a reason to steer clear of them, though add in the fact that they create tonnes of single-use plastic waste and are also a nightmare to successfully cook edible food on, and there’s some evidence supporting the idea of finding a different solution.

Many supermarkets have started to feel the same way and have ceased stocking disposable charcoal grills. Fortunately, there are other options available to fair-weather barbecue enthusiasts, such as portable grills that are astonishingly cheap and, overall, offer better bang for your buck.

And if that is a commitment too far, consider more eco-friendly disposable options which are often made with bamboo, lava rocks and cardboard. These not only heat up quickly, they also have inbuilt insulation to prevent earth-scorching and are 100% biodegradable with no metal or plastic whatsoever.

In addition to choosing a greener grill, avoid using disposable plates, cups and utensils, and instead consider reusable varieties made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or recycled plastic. If you must use disposable items, choose those that can be composted after use.

The fuel you choose is equally important, as regular charcoal is made from wood that has been treated with chemicals, and its production contributes to deforestation. Look for charcoal made from sustainable materials such as coconut shells, which are renewable and burn longer.

If you prefer a gas barbecue, choose propane gas – instead of natural gas – as it produces fewer greenhouse gases and is easier to transport and store. Also, opt for a high-efficiency grill that uses less fuel and emits fewer pollutants. Last, but definitely not least, let’s talk about the food we grill. Yes, you can buy processed meat from the supermarket - this will be cheaper but it’s also not going to taste great and is often swathed in single-use plastic. Using highgrade meat from a local source will not only save air miles, it will taste fantastic and boost your local economy in the process. Also, don’t forget that barbecued veggies are delicious, cheap and healthy.