It’s nearly summer in Ireland, which means we finally have some dry days ahead, maybe even some warm ones. It’s finally the perfect time to enjoy being outside with friends, family and a delicious BBQ. If you’re interested in hosting a guilt-free event or looking to make your BBQ a little more sustainable, why not try hosting a zero-waste BBQ using the following tips:
Ditch Single-Use Plastics
I know it’s tempting to save yourself the clean up, but avoiding disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and straws and opting for reusable items instead makes a big difference, helps save you some money and prevents excessive waste. The chances are you already have everything you need at home, so why waste money on something you can only use once?
Plan What to Cook in Advance
Avoid food waste by planning what you’d like to cook ahead of time:
- Estimate portions (e.g., 1 sausage, 1 burger, and 1 bun per person).
- Don’t overdo it on side servings, like salads and pasta. People tend to only take small servings of those items.
- Check your fridge and presses before buying more of an item you might already have.
- Ask guests to bring different types of side dishes to avoid too much of one item.
Store Your Food Properly
- Bring out only what you need to start grilling, focusing on small portions at a time instead of cooking it all in bulk.
- Keep the extra meat/food in the fridge and take it out as needed.
- Store the salads and bread indoors until you are ready to serve them.
Cook with Sustainable Fuel
Use WillowWarm carbon-neutral briquettes instead of charcoal to fuel your BBQ. They burn cleaner, reduce your carbon footprint, and contain no artificial chemicals, which means no toxins in your food.
Choose Seasonal & Local Produce
Choose Irish-grown vegetables, herbs, and meats to support local farmers and reduce transport emissions.
Tip: Check out Board Bia’s seasonal calendar to help pick the best in season.
Don’t Throw Away the Leftovers
Don’t let good food go to waste. Leftovers can always be kept for a few days after the event, once you store them correctly in the fridge or freezer.
Use them for lunch the next day or even share some with your guests to take home.
Compost Any Food Scraps
Set up a compost bin for vegetable peelings and all other organic waste. It keeps scraps out of the landfill and creates nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden.
Encourage Your Guests to Carpool or Walk
Ask guests to share rides or walk if they live nearby to reduce transport emissions.
WillowWarm briquettes are perfect for BBQs. They’re carbon-neutral, made without artificial chemicals, binders, or glues, meaning no harmful toxins are released into your food.
Stock up today, and any leftover bales can be stored in a dry, sheltered place to use in your fire or stove when the cold weather returns.