In 2022, a number of supermarkets vowed to take away disposable BBQs from sale. However, they proceed to be offered by many retailers and trigger fires throughout the UK, with lots of of 1000’s going to landfill yearly.1 Waste administration agency BusinessWaste.co.uk is asking for a complete ban with a purpose to defend the surroundings and cut back waste, because the group explains right here.
Our analysis discovered that in 2026, the product can nonetheless be purchased simply on-line by way of among the identical supermarkets that vowed to take away it from shops, two of which have a mixed 2600 shops throughout the UK. Many different retailers nonetheless inventory disposable BBQs in retailer, they usually can simply be bought from on-line marketplaces.
What number of disposable BBQs are offered every year?
There are not any up-to-date printed figures on the gross sales of disposable BBQs within the UK, however earlier than main grocery store withdrawals in 2022, disposable BBQ gross sales within the UK had been estimated at round 1 million models per 12 months. Present utilization stays excessive, and with the product unimaginable to recycle, it’s probably lots of of 1000’s are heading to landfill yearly.2
Why are disposable BBQs so dangerous for the surroundings?
Yearly within the UK, fires brought on by disposable BBQs are broadly reported. Simply final week, a blaze was prompted in Hampshire, and final 12 months fires had been attributed to disposable BBQs in West Sussex, Bristol and the Isle of Wight, naming just some of the numerous studies.3, 4, 5, 6
These fires can result in large-scale grassland and heath fires and trigger long-term habitat loss.
Designed to be single-use and infrequently solely lit for two hours, the product is a large waste of supplies and intensely troublesome to recycle. In consequence, disposable BBQs most of the time find yourself in landfill, in the event that they aren’t deserted or littered first.
It’s not unusual for customers to go away sizzling disposable BBQs in public locations, bury them in sand, or throw them into bins. This creates an extra hearth threat, contaminates our inexperienced areas and causes direct hurt to animals.
What are higher alternate options?
Many individuals choose disposable BBQs attributable to price and comfort, however there are many reusable choices in the marketplace which nonetheless fulfill these wants. For between £15 and £30, many retailers like IKEA and Argos promote folding and moveable BBQs that are light-weight, designed for transport and can be utilized lots of of instances.
These are way more environmentally pleasant and more cost effective over time.
Petition for a complete ban on disposable BBQs:
Signal the petition right here.
Mark Corridor, waste administration knowledgeable and Director at BusinessWaste.co.uk, commented:
“Now we have been campaigning in opposition to the use and sale of disposable BBQs for years. The product is extraordinarily wasteful and damaging to our native surroundings. Yearly, we proceed to see information studies of the injury executed by means of disposable merchandise and boycotts have proved to be fleeting.
“In 2026, we actually have to see an all-out ban put in place. There is no such thing as a motive for these merchandise to stay on sale when way more environmentally pleasant and cost-effective alternate options can be found. A ban would defend our inexperienced areas, native wildlife and cease lots of of 1000’s of disposable BBQs clogging our landfills. We’d encourage the general public to assist this by signing the petition, sharing with associates and writing to native MPs.”
Notes
[1] https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2022/08/12/asda-bbq-ban/
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/surroundings/2022/mar/09/waitrose-and-aldi-to-stop-selling-disposable-bbqs
[3] https://uk.information.yahoo.com/disposable-barbecue-sparks-forest-blaze-160200040.html
[4] https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/information/local-beauty-spot-devastated-by-barbecue-fire/
[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/information/articles/cvg30p82d8yo
[6] https://www.bbc.co.uk/information/articles/cwy15newnyko
