Skip to content

Road trip with Grill Ambassadors, embracing summer, sunshine, and hygiene

Controversy Surrounds Public Barbecuing in Numerous German Cities Due to High Air Pollution Levels. In Cologne, individuals known as 'Grill-Scouts' are actively attempting to...

Road trip with Grill ambassadors, embracing summer, sunlight, and hygiene
Road trip with Grill ambassadors, embracing summer, sunlight, and hygiene

Road trip with Grill Ambassadors, embracing summer, sunshine, and hygiene

Cologne's Green Guardians: The Grill-Scouts

In the heart of Cologne, a unique group of eco-conscious individuals known as the Grill-Scouts are making a significant impact on the city's public spaces. Their role is to engage with people grilling in parks, chat with them, and ensure the green spaces remain clean and tidy.

With approximately 25 Grill-Scouts patrolling the city, they cover a lot of ground, each walking up to 20 kilometers in a day. Their mission is to address the contentious issue of grilling in public spaces, which has become a source of concern in many German cities due to heavy littering and smoke nuisance.

A typical interaction with the Grill-Scouts involves them pointing out the location of in-ground containers for waste disposal. They also provide advice to park visitors about disposal options and distribute rubbish bags to help keep the parks clean.

The Grill-Scouts have been operating in Cologne for 15 years, and their efforts have been fruitful. Last year, they distributed 31,399 rubbish bags and had 5,286 "contacts".

Vera Drewke, Sabrina Scholtisseck, and Nisa Bagci are some of the dedicated Grill-Scouts in Cologne, working on behalf of the waste management department. Despite the tempting aroma of grilled food, Vera Drewke, a Pescetarian, remains steadfast and cannot be tempted with sausage and steak.

The reactions to the Grill-Scouts are overwhelmingly positive, and they are often offered food by the grateful park-goers they help. During summery weather, the Grill-Scouts are out every weekend and on public holidays, ensuring the city's parks remain a clean and enjoyable space for all.

However, it seems that the Grill-Scouts are a local initiative specific to Cologne, as no authoritative or detailed information was found about a similar group in other German cities. For a detailed history or specific management practices of the Cologne Grill-Scouts, consulting local Cologne community or municipal resources, scouting commissions, or environmental groups would be necessary.

Elsewhere in Germany, grilling in public spaces is also a topic of discussion. In Hamburg, more districts are reportedly checking the rules and imposing high fines for wild grilling. In Berlin, several thousand residents started a petition this summer demanding a "respectful use" of the grill area in Volkspark Friedrichshain.

As cities continue to grapple with the issue of responsible grilling in public spaces, the Grill-Scouts of Cologne serve as a shining example of how dedicated individuals can make a difference in their communities.

Read also:

Latest