Planet Wimborne has written to several businesses, including BP, Shell and Esso service stations, Co-op and McColl’s, asking them if they stock disposable BBQs and if so, to consider taking them off their shelves.
Planet Wimborne hopes these businesses take the positive step to stop selling disposable BBQs and also sign up to support the Litter Free Dorset campaign.
Litter Free Dorset campaign
This follows the Litter Free Dorset campaign, supported by Dorset Council and the Urban Heaths Partnership, asking responsible retailers to stop selling disposable BBQs and calling on stores to replace their disposable BBQ ranges with reusable options and to only BBQ at safe, designated locations. This campaign was prompted by this year’s hot weather and recent terrible wildfires at Wareham Forest in 2020 and at Canford Heath earlier this year, which caused some residents to be evacuated.
You can find the details of the campaign here together with the reasons why Dorset Council is keen to see such a self-imposed ban being adopted by retailers. You can also download a copy of the campaign letter and see the stores that have already signed up to the campaign, such as all Waitrose and Aldi stores.
Dorset ban on BBQs
From 1st July this year, Dorset Council also banned people lighting fires, including BBQs, fireworks, lanterns and campfires, in many public areas across Dorset (Dorset is a no-go area for BBQs and campfires as new fines come into force) in an attempt to stop fires from harming people and the environment.
Given the heatwave we have just faced and with vegetation tinder-dry, it is even more important to take action to prevent such fires from starting. London’s Fire Commissioner called for a total ban on disposable barbecues in Britain, after the service had its busiest day since World War Two during the heatwave (Ban disposable BBQs, London Fire Brigade urges).
What can I do?
Waitrose, Aldi and some other retailers have announced they will no longer stock disposable barbecues. Armed with that information, you could check the situation at your local store; if they do stock disposable BBQs, ask them to consider removing them from sale on the grounds that they pose a serious risk to people’s health and the environment. If you do this, please let us know how you get on by using the Planet Wimborne contact form.
