How We Hosted a (Nearly) Zero-Waste BBQ—and Had a Blast Doing It

Summer BBQs are the ultimate way to bring friends together when the weather is just right. There's nothing better than good food, laughter, and being outside with your people. But this year, we added a new layer of fun to the mix: we aimed for zero waste—and came pretty close!

It took intention, teamwork, and a little creativity, but the outcome was not only eco-friendly—it was also joyful, easy to manage, and surprisingly inspiring. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we pulled it off and how you can too.

FOOD & DRINKS: KEEP IT SIMPLE, KEEP IT SMART

We kept our menu small, intentional, and low-waste:

• Chicken from a local butcher, purchased using our own containers

• Veggie burgers (yes, from a box—one small plastic bag inside)

• Watermelon, the hero of the season: no packaging and fully compostable

• Starter beer and sparkling water in cans, which our city easily recycles

We know vegetarian options are more eco-conscious, and while we’re not a fully vegetarian crew (yet), we’re moving in the right direction. The key is progress, not perfection.

It was a potluck, so a few friends brought cookies and salads in plastic containers from the store. We welcomed their contributions with gratitude, rinsed the containers, and recycled them properly.

DISHES, SILVERWARE & NAPKINS: A CREATIVE MIX

No disposables here. We took a three-pronged approach:

1. Reusable plates and silverware were borrowed from a friend (bless those extra party sets!).

2. We also tested out plant-based dinnerware—banana leaf plates and wooden sporks. After the meal, these went right into the compost bin!

3. Cloth napkins and towels were set in a cute basket with a clearly labeled bucket for used ones. No one batted an eye at the “well-loved” condition of some of my cloth towels—and not one single napkin ended up in the trash.

(Also, the Facebook comments on my napkin video were gold. My favorite? “I hope everyone finds someone to love them as much as this lady loves cloth napkins.” I’m getting that on a t-shirt.)

WASTE MANAGEMENT: LABELS, BINS & A CLEAR INTENTION

We didn’t just hope people would sort their waste correctly—we made it super clear.

• A big sign on the food table let guests know this was a nearly zero-waste BBQ and thanked them for being part of it.

• Compost bins were labeled to accept watermelon rinds, plant-fiber plates, wooden sporks, and anything natural.

• Recycling bins took cans, paper, and glass.

• Trash bins were clearly labeled too—with a special note that chicken bones belonged there (we later learned our local compost company does accept bones… next time!).

Like Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Yes to that.

THE RESULT? A PARTY WITH PURPOSE

Everyone had a great time. No reusable dishes were trashed. No confusion. Just a laid-back, joyful gathering where people felt good about their choices. It’s proof that sustainable celebrations are totally doable—and even fun.

So if you’re planning a summer party, give the zero-waste approach a shot. Start with a few easy swaps. Label your bins. Get your people involved. And if you need some eco-party pep talk?

You know where to find me. I’ll be the one talking to strangers about compost and folding cloth napkins like they’re origami. 🌱

Let’s host more parties that work with Planet Earth, not against it.