Supermarkets in the UK have removed disposable BBQs from their shelves due to concerns about wildfires. Asda halted sales of these items this week, while Tesco and Co-op stopped sales last month. Sainsbury’s has also withdrawn disposable BBQs until August 12. Wilko and The Range are following suit by removing them from stores and online. Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and M&S have not sold disposable grills since 2022.
The move comes as the UK experiences exceptionally hot and dry weather, with the Met Office confirming it as the driest July for England and Wales in 190 years. The dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires, which have been exacerbated by human activities. Firefighters have already responded to over 700 wildfires this year, including incidents in Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Rhondda Valley in Wales.
Retailers are adhering to guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), which advised the temporary removal of disposable BBQs until next Wednesday. Inga Becker-Hansen, Products Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium, emphasized the retailers’ commitment to customer and environmental safety, stating that they are working closely with local authorities to minimize fire risks.
Labour MP Jon Pearce of High Peak, Derbyshire, has urged businesses to cease selling disposable BBQs for the rest of the summer. He called for mandatory regulations based on NFCC guidance and stressed the need for proactive measures to address the increasing wildfire risks due to climate change.
Co-op and Tesco spokespersons reiterated their commitment to safety and environmental responsibility by voluntarily suspending disposable BBQ sales in line with NFCC recommendations. The retailers are collectively taking steps to mitigate fire hazards during the current hot and dry weather conditions.
