Hosting a green barbeque

Beach towels, flip flops, and lawn chairs line the isles of local stores. It can only mean one thing — summer has arrived! To many individuals summer means backyard barbeques. However, these summer gatherings can often be costly not only to our pocket books but also our environment. Due to rising prices everywhere, from the gas pump to the grocery store, more and more Kentuckians are finding ways to save money.  This summer save money and go green by following a few simple tips when hosting a backyard barbeque:

•Skip the printed invitations. Call or email family and friends with details about the event.

•Encourage guests to walk, bike, or carpool to the party to save gas and reduce vehicle emissions. 

•During the event, serve seasonal fruits and vegetables from your garden or the local farmer’s market. Buying locally grown foods in season saves gas and money, and reduces fumes emitted and energy consumed during transportation of the produce.

•Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils. Paper and plastic party supplies can be expensive and increase the amount of waste in landfills.

•During clean-up recycle and compost as much of the waste as possible.
 
For more information on saving money and going green visit the See Blue Go Green website at http://www.ca.uky.edu/gogreen/.

Source: Ashley Osborne, Extension Associate for Environmental and Natural Resource Issues, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Jane Proctor is Trimble County’s Cooperative Extension agent for family and consumer services.