Posted by Fiona Saiter on Oct.29, 2009

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It’s that time of year again, when the smell of barbeque is in the air. Radios blare pre-game shows, footballs are thrown and games are played. Want to have a great tailgate and make it more environmentally friendly? The following tips will help ensure your next one will be as environmentally friendly to the planet as possible.

#6 - If you’re lucky enough to own a hybrid vehicle, use it to car pool your friends to the game

Game day all starts with your trip to the game. If everyone drives separately, they are faced with the parking which can cost $20 at some games. Plus if you and your friends carpool, having a designated driver will make a safer trip for the fan who wants to drink some pregame beers. Once you’re at the game, try not to have the engine of the car idling when you don’t have to.

#5 - Think Re-usable

When you’re planning the tail gate, make sure you bring reusable plates, silverware, napkins, cups and even skewers. Plan to bring items that can be washed and reused again and again. If you don’t think you have enough reusable items, make it BYO. Get everyone coming to the tail gate to bring their own set of sliverware, plates, and reusable napkins. If you don’t want to ask people to bring their own and don’t have enough at home, you can buy some cheap at garage sales or thrift stores.

Another option is to find eco-friendly dishes, silverware and other items. One example is Earth Shell’s line of compostable plates and bowls made of potatoes. There are so many others you could choose from to have an environmentally friendly party. Bring everything in cloth bags instead of plastic and even bring salads and other foods in reusable containers instead of plastic zip locks that will just be thrown away.

#4 - Think Local, Organic, and even Vegetarian

Want to have a more eco-friendly meal? You can buy produce that is local and in season. You will have a healthier meal since the produce hasn’t lost its nutrients by sitting around being shipped half way across the Earth. Add organic veggies and fruit which will be healthier and better for the earth since organic fruits and veggies are grown without harmful pesticides.

Another option to choose is give people the option of a vegetarian meal. There are great prepared burgers, hot dogs and other foods with Tofu or a hearty portabella mushroom burger with just the right sauce can be really satisfying.

#3 - Choose a better Grill

Let’s face it: most everyone tail gating is going to grill. Charcoal and natural gas are not the best options for an environmentally friendly barbeque. Why not try propane? Propane is petroleum-based, but burns cleaner than other petroleum products, including natural gas, and is a better alternative for our planet. If you’re stuck on grilling with charcoal, you can find eco-friendly alternatives at natural stores like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s and others. A solar oven is another option on a sunny day. You can find simple instructions here to make one.

If you are using an environmental friendly charcoal also consider how you start your grill. Try to avoid using half a bottle of lighter fluid when starting your grill and opt for a charcoal chimney that helps start your grill by using paper and a little charcoal.

There is also a product available called FlameDisk (www.flamedisk.com) that is easy to use, lights instantly, makes no mess and uses clean burning ethanol. According to Flamedisk is clean burning and creates 90% less pollutants than charcoal.

#2 - Recycle

Make sure you have bags clearly marked and everyone knows that beer bottles, cans, caps, cups, dishes and silverware are being recycled. You could even have a compost bag for produce. If people have toted items in plastic bags collect them and drop them in the plastic drop off box next time you’re at your grocery store. You could also buy eco-friendly trash bags. All you have to do is think of recyclable option for the usual disposable ones.

#1 - Think Hand Crank and Solar

Use a hand cranked radio to listen to the pregame show. Some of the radios even come with a place to recharge your cell phone at the same time. Solar backpacks can recharge cell phones and other items. If you are using batteries, use ones that can be recharged.

You can have the same wild and crazy tailgate party while being green. It just takes some different thinking and planning and if you get everyone to pitch in it will be easy.

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Posted under Eco-Friendly Ideas, Living.