As the summer sizzles on, the Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is providing Austinites with practical pointers to keep outdoor cookouts and picnics environmentally conscious with a simple yet impactful act: composting. With the season attracting hordes of people towards the pleasure of grilling under the open sky, ARR's guidelines serve as a blueprint to responsibly dispose of common outdoor eating waste and tableware.
So, what to decidedly toss into the compost bin? Natural food remnants like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, corn cobs, and even tamale husks are a yes, as are compostable tableware and uncoated paper goods. However, to absolutely avoid adding greasy food leftovers, coal ash (unless from natural lump charcoal), plastic utensils, or saucy condiments into the green pile. These no-nos are crucial, as they can contaminate the quality of the compost being nurtured.
Setting up an eco-station at your next barbecue is simpler than it might seem. ARR advises hosts to set up bins that are distinctly labeled for "Compost," "Trash," and "Recycling." To make transporting scraps less of a chore, use compostable liners or even repurpose old brown paper bags. To educate and guide your guests through the process, displaying easy-to-read signs can eliminate any confusion about where each leftover should rightfully end up.
In order to optimally manage your bins and keep unwanted pests away, it's recommended to choose bins with lids. After the party winds down, incorporate your collected food scraps into either a green City of Austin composting cart or a personal compost heap. To efficiently counterbalance the wet food scraps and keep the funk at a minimum, layer them with dry foliage, grass clippings, or those same brown paper bags. The ARR site gives you even more intel on composting if you're looking to get deeper into the dirt.
By following these simple recommendations, you not only get to enjoy the smoky flavors of your grilled favorites and the shared joy of picnics but also become an ally of mother nature by reducing waste. Composting can truly turn your average cookout into an eco-friendly one, and with ARR's insights, Austin is once again proving its commitment to sustainability, one backyard barbecue at a time.
