Summer’s in full swing and we still have a good two months before the leaves start changing and the BBQs are tucked away until next year. Make sure the rest of your summer is as green as possible with the tips below.

Green your gril

Propane burns cleaner than charcoal but if you do use charcoal, try an all-natural, chemical-free brand like this one. When you’re finished, use a natural grill cleaner like this one. No one wants chemical residue messing with their marinade!

Thanks to the excess methane produced by cows on factory farms, meat’s not green. But just because you’re sticking with Meatless Mondays or cutting back on beef doesn’t mean you can’t have amazingly delicious BBQs on any summer day. Check out these 6 meatless BBQ recipes from discovery.com and choose one to cook up for dinner Monday.

Banish bugs without chemicals

Bugs come with the season but no one wants to expose their kids or pets to harsh chemicals; they’re not great for you either. Cut back on chemical-laden bug sprays by using natural alternatives.

Ant invasion? Bay leaves or cloves at the source (doorways, etc.) will send them packing. Spraying white vinegar mixed with water covers their scent trails, which they need to find their way back into your house. Baby powder and tea tree oil can help too. Learn more here.

Got mosquitoes? While sprays and poisons help keep them away, they’re also harmful to birds, butterflies, rabbits and your pets. Planting rosemary helps keep mosquitoes at bay. Plus, it smells great and provides yummy flavor for your homemade dishes all year. Need something stronger? Try Garlic Barrier.

Shrink your picnic’s carbon footprint

While reusable plates are best, we know not everyone is up for a marathon round of dishwashing after a backyard gathering. If you’re going to buy disposable, avoid styrofoam and shoot for compostable products; they’re made from corn and are a step-up from biodegradable. You can buy compostable trash bags too. Learn more about plastic vs styrofoam vs paper here.

Get an energy boost from the sun

Pick up a solar charger. Aside from saving the day when your camera, phone or iPod runs out of juice at the beach, on a hike or wherever, they’re a simple and convenient way to go green. The summer sun and one of these chargers can power your iPod for 18 hours and your cell phone for 44! They’re great for camping and road trips too.

Demand the freshest of fruit

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: take advantage of farmers markets! Visit localharvest.org if you’re not sure where to find one. Locally grown food means it’s fresher (yum), and it wasn’t brought to you from thousands of miles away in a big gas-guzzling truck.

Have a tip of your own to share? Post it in the comments!