Leading grocery stores have ceased selling disposable barbecues due to concerns about an increased wildfire risk. Asda recently joined the initiative by removing single-use grills from its shelves in response to the ongoing dry and hot weather conditions affecting parts of the UK. Notable fires have been tackled in locations like Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Rhondda Valley in Wales. Retailers such as Co-op and Tesco halted the sale of disposable BBQ s in July, while Sainsbury’s committed to not selling them until August 12. Several retailers, including Wilko and The Range, have followed suit by removing these items from their stores and online platforms. However, chains like Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and M&S have not stocked disposable grills since 2022.
These actions align with guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), which recommended suspending sales until the following Wednesday due to the ongoing heatwave in certain regions of the country. In a letter to major retailers, Jon Pearce, the Labour MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, expressed support for the decision to halt sales of single-use grills for the summer. Pearce emphasized the importance of government intervention to address the changing climate, suggesting that NFCC’s guidance on disposable BBQ s should be made mandatory. Pearce highlighted the urgency of adapting to the evolving climate and preparing for future summers. Pearce further advocated for a ban on disposable BBQ s in public spaces, calling on the Government to proactively assess and mitigate risks ahead of the next summer season. Authorities caution against using disposable BBQ s in open countryside, parks, and moorland areas to reduce the risk of wildfires. Last week, fire chiefs highlighted the escalating pressure on services due to wildfires, which have already exceeded 700 incidents in England and Wales this year.Both Co-op and Tesco acknowledged the impact of weather conditions on their decision to temporarily suspend the sale of disposable barbecues, aligning with NFCC guidelines and emphasizing their commitment to environmental responsibility and community safety.
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