‘A truly modern menace’: Tory MS calls for retailers to end sale of disposable BBQs
A Tory Senedd member has called on retailers to end the sale of disposable BBQs, branding them a “truly modern menace”.
Janet Finch-Saunders the MS for Aberconwy and Shadow Minister for Climate Change has argued that they “pose far too many risks to our environment and public health”.
The Conservative politician has asked businesses to take a “civic-minded, ecologically friendly leadership position” by discontinuing their sale during next year’s summer season.
She has written to the offices of ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, ALDI, Lidl, SPAR, B&M, Home Bargains, Wilko, Poundland and Poundstretcher.
Earlier this summer, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to three separate incidents caused by disposable barbecues in one day.
In a statement, it was made clear that all three incidents occurred after people failed to get rid of their barbecues safely.
Janet Finch-Saunders said: “Disposable BBQs are a truly modern menace that pose far too many risks to our environment and public health.
“As these foil BBQs are portable, they may be used in unsuitable locations such as under trees or near long grass, bushes or fences which may easily catch fire.”
‘Extremely hot’
She added: “As the bottom of the barbecue can get extremely hot, and with prolonged dry weather over the summer, there is potential to damage the ground. As we witnessed earlier this summer, they can also cause unnecessary bin fires if disposed of before they have cooled to a suitable temperature.
“The fact that these products are non-recyclable, in an age when we should be prioritising the circular economy, should give retailers pause for thought.
“I have found them discarded and left under sand to scar feet. This would not be happening if customers were pointed towards reusable portable BBQs.
“I have written to a range of retailers to ask that they take a civic-minded, ecologically friendly leadership position by committing to discontinuing the sale of disposable BBQs during next year’s summer season. This bold step must be made now before stock decisions are taken.”
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Very praiseworthy, but surely it is for the Welsh government to ban them, not individual retailers? The MS is in a position to do something about this.
Welsh labour not doing anything about an obvious menace.
They are legal throughout the UK so why not campaign with this Tory MS to get the Tory UK government to ban them?
Since May this year there has been a Senedd petition open to ban them from National Parks. I am unsure if they can but only 182 have signed it.
I didn’t even know about the petition! So much for social media in this modern age.
After use they can be a menace to others and can easily reignite especially in rubbish bins and in slight wind
The foil tray and ash content are recyclable but the metal tray is lethal and is only wanted in a scrap bin at the Council yard.
My vote is to ban them
If people use a portable on beaches they will dispose of hot charcoal on beach which is worse than a square metal boxful as it can be mistaken for stones or similar on beach. Really to stop problem you would have to ban charcoal and only allow gas. Oops that’s harmful too and gas is on its way to being banned.
I think public education is the best way to go at present. Banning disposable barbecues that are recyclable aluminium seems hasty.