Barbecuing is a joy—it's enjoyable year-round and makes every meal extra special. With a few smart choices, you can keep your barbecue not only delicious, but also safe and waste-free. Together, we can keep our neighborhoods clean and give resources a new lease on life.
Choose reusable
Don't use disposable plastic or aluminum foil, but reusable plates, cups, and cutlery. Just as nice, and you can use them again and again. That reduces waste. You'll find lots of beautiful items at the thrift store. And if something needs covering, reusable napkins or beeswax wraps work just as well as foil. That's convenient and better for the environment.
Buy and drink smart
Buy your food unpackaged or in larger containers whenever possible. You can often buy fresh fruit and vegetables loose, without packaging. This prevents a lot of waste. Marinate vegetables or meat at home in a reusable container, so you don't need disposable packaging.
Drinking can also be waste-free. A pitcher of water with mint or lemon is quick to make and saves on plastic bottles. Do you have a sparkling water maker? Then you can make your own soda without disposable packaging. A refillable bottle is handy for the garden and on the go.
What do you do with food leftovers?
After a fun barbecue, there are often leftovers: a few grilled vegetables, half a cob of corn, a piece of chicken or fish. Many of these leftovers are easy to store. Store them in a container in the refrigerator and use them the next day in a salad, wrap, or omelet. Bread and cooked meat even freeze well for later.
Leftovers that are no longer edible, such as bones, chicken carcasses, lemon wedges, vegetable peels, or fish bones? These belong in the organic waste bin. This keeps your barbecue area tidy and prevents valuable leftovers from ending up in the residual waste.
Dispose of coals and ashes safely
Coal and ash often remain hot for hours. Let them cool in a metal bucket with a lid for at least a day. Place the bucket on a stone surface, never in a shed or dumpster. Only dispose of the remains in a tightly sealed bag with the residual waste when everything is completely cold. Coal and ash do not belong in the organic waste collection system – they contain substances that disrupt composting.
Separate your barbecue waste properly
What remains is easy to separate:
- Plastic packaging and cans belong to the PMD.
- Clean paper can be recycled with the waste paper.
- Greasy or dirty paper belongs in the residual waste.
This way, raw materials remain clean and usable.
Enjoy together - in every season
Whether it's hot or cold, with a few conscious choices, you can make any barbecue sustainable. This way, we can enjoy outdoor dining all year round and, together, contribute to a clean environment.
For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips