Wipe That Saucy Look Off Your Face

Green Grilling can be a messy endeavor, so when you inevitably reach for a napkin, consider your options:

Easy Green: If you can't pass up the convenience of disposable paper towels, go for the unbleached and recycled kind. Seventh Generation makes some from 100 percent recycled paper, with 80 percent coming from post-consumer waste. Don't worry about them falling down on the job: In Grist's  paper towel test, they shared the top spot with Whole Foods 365.

Uber Green: Keep a basket full of cloth napkins in a few convenient spots around the grill and table so sticky and saucified guests can grab them as needed. Have an empty basket ready to collect the dirty ones. You can use these again (and again) at future gatherings, so a boatload of napkins is a worthy green investment (double points if they're made from organic fibers).

Even More Uber Green: Give each guest a cloth napkin to use and reuse throughout the day. (Think of the water, energy, and time you'll save on laundry!) If you're crafty, you can even make your own recycled cloth napkin. After washing the used napkins, hang them on the line to dry.

--D.W.

How green are you? Tell us if you've tried these tips for green grilling--and share some of your own.