Diplomats taking a summer road trip, focusing on barbecues and maintaining cleanliness along the way.
In the heart of Germany, the city of Cologne has taken a unique approach to managing public grilling areas in its parks. A community initiative known as the Grill-Scouts, a group of dedicated volunteers, patrol these spaces to maintain cleanliness and manage waste, helping to preserve the environment and promote a sense of responsibility among park-goers.
The Grill-Scouts, numbering around 25 individuals, are active every weekend and on public holidays during the summer months. Clad in neon-orange vests and carrying trash bags, they are a familiar sight in Cologne's parks. Their mission is simple: to keep the green spaces clean and ensure that park-goers follow proper waste disposal practices.
The Grill-Scouts' work is part of a broader waste management and public cleanliness effort coordinated by the city's waste and street cleaning service, AWB Abfallwirtschaftsbetriebe Köln GmbH. This initiative targets the litter problem specific to public grills, a popular pastime in Cologne's parks during warm seasons.
Vera Drewke, a Pescetarian and one of the Grill-Scouts, describes the reactions to their work as "overwhelmingly positive." She recounts a typical interaction, where she met a group of young people and asked if they knew the location of the in-ground containers for waste disposal. Gratitude is often shown towards the Grill-Scouts, but they are rarely tempted by food offers.
The Grill-Scouts' role is not to enforce rules strictly, but to educate and encourage park-goers to follow the rules. They announce when they see smoke, possibly indicating a grill, and offer advice on picnic and grill waste, including pointing out disposal options or distributing trash bags.
In 2020 alone, the Grill-Scouts in Cologne distributed 31,399 trash bags and had 5,286 "contacts." Their relaxed, non-confrontational manner has made their approach unique, setting a positive example for other cities to follow.
Elsewhere in Germany, cities like Hamburg are cracking down on wild grilling, with more districts checking the rules and imposing high fines. Meanwhile, in Berlin, thousands of residents have started a petition demanding a "respectful use" of the grill area in the Volkspark Friedrichshain.
Despite the challenges, the Grill-Scouts in Cologne remain committed to their mission. They continue to patrol the parks, collect trash, and educate park-goers, contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city.
