Remember those Earth Day projects from elementary school? Paper mache globes made from yesterday’s newspaper, picking up trash along highways, and religiously recycling every soda can. While these efforts still matter (except maybe the paper mache), the fight for environmental sustainability has evolved. And at Rocklands Barbeque, we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the charge and celebrating Earth Day, everyday.
Our Foundation is a Philosophy of Sustainability
When most people think of barbecue, they probably picture smoke billowing into the sky. But at Rocklands, that smoke comes with a side of solar power. In July 2021, our Arlington location went solar, partnering with C-PACE, Inspun Solar, the Department of Environmental Services, and Arlington Community Federal Credit Union to cover their roof with panels. It’s not just about lower utility bills—though that’s a nice bonus. It’s about cutting those greenhouse gas emissions, one rack of ribs at a time.
And we didn’t stop there. Since December 2024, customers can charge their electric vehicles while they eat. Pull up, plug in, and by the time you’ve polished off your pulled pork, your car’s ready for its next adventure.
Recognition for Our Efforts
The environmental community has noticed. Rocklands swept up the 2024 Virginia Green Awards, earned the District Sustainability Award from DC’s Department of Energy & Environment, and just this March, received an honorable mention at the 2025 Virginia Green Travel Star Awards in Busch Gardens. Not bad for a place that specializes in smoke and fire.
Good Food, Good for the Planet
But here’s the thing about Rocklands, we’ve been quietly eco-friendly for over three decades, long before it was trendy. It turns out that making great barbecue naturally aligns with being kind to the planet. We believe in responsible practices, which is why we source whole, local ingredients and diligently minimize waste.
To handle excess food from events, we’ve teamed up with Food Rescue US (www.foodrescue.us) to ensure it nourishes our community instead of contributing to landfills. No high fructose corn syrup, no MSG, no artificial dyes—just real food, prepared fresh daily.
Our commitment shows up in unexpected places. The wood we use for smoking? It’s all natural, no chemical-laden charcoal in sight.
We run regular energy audits across all locations and use eco-friendly packaging. Even our farm partnerships focus on seasonal ingredients, cutting down on transportation emissions while ensuring the freshest possible food hits your plate.
We’ve also switched to compostable utensils and dinnerware, installed water-saving sink valves, and added smart thermostats to optimize energy use. The Arlington and Alexandria stores now shine brighter and greener with energy-efficient LED lighting throughout.
Want to Join the Green Barbecue Revolution?
Sure, you could install solar panels or buy an electric car. But there are simpler ways to make a difference:
- Grab dinner at Rocklands—eating local reduces your carbon footprint, and there won’t be leftovers to waste.
- Bring your own reusable bags for takeout.
- Make it a group outing – carpooling to get barbecue counts as environmentally friendly.
- Plan your errands efficiently (with Rocklands as a delicious pit stop, of course).
As environmental explorer Robert Swan once said, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
At Rocklands, we’re not waiting for someone else, we’re proving that even a barbecue joint can help lead the way to a more sustainable future.
