Can You Cook Out Without Plastic?

Any major holiday from Memorial to Labor Day will see overstuffed garbage cans at the local parks. Styrofoam plates, cups, bowls, flatware, cling wrap, aluminum foil, solo cups and thousands of plastic drink bottles. So how can we break this habit and still have a clean and safe cookout?

Check out these 6 steps to help you slow down on single use plastics at your next cookout.
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Step 1) Remind your friends before the cookout that you’re trying to reduce the amount of plastic used. This way it’s not a huge surprise to everyone when you’re glowering at them over the styrofoam cups they brought.

Step 2) Carry your precious edibles in washable, sustainable containers made from glass, ceramics and / or metal. We’re open to the idea that folks have a varying degrees of food preferences but we should also think the same way about the items transporting our delicious dishes. Under the correct conditions some types of plastic product can leach harmful chemicals into your food.
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Step 3) Bringing cold drinks? Pass on the plastic containers of beverages and opt in for aluminum containers. It’s more expensive to purchase singles of drinks but these containers can be easily recycled.

Step 4) Ready to cut that carbon footprint even further? Switch out your animal products with vegetable based proteins. There are loads of products that can help you slow down on animal proteins and satiate your cravings. Check out https://impossiblefoods.com/ 
​and https://www.beyondmeat.com/

Step 5) Bring along extra reusable bowls, plates, flatware and serving utensils for your guests. Go a step further and have your wash pan with you to tidy up some of those items for the trip home.

Step 6) Bring a cardboard box for recycling, a lidded bucket for compostables and a bag for landfill items. You can make sure your cookout is as low impact as possible by sorting onsite and carrying it home with you.

Sincerely,
Eric Bradford
Director of Operations
Asheville GreenWorks