Earlier this year we reached out to Bude businesses, asking them for their support of our pledge to remove single-use disposable BBQs from sale in Bude. You can read the letter in full here.
The Sustainable Tourism Project is working in partnership with local retailers to remove disposable BBQs from sale in Bude because of their environmental impact and the danger to people that they cause. Over the last 2 months we’ve been engaging with Bude’s supermarkets that are undoubtedly having the biggest negative impact, to try and get single-use disposable BBQs removed from sale. We promised to publish our findings, and to show you the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to sustainable practice. You may have seen our news earlier this week that none other than Sainsbury’s have pledged to remove all single-use disposable BBQs from sale at their Bude store. This is HUGE!
Morrisons supermarket, despite entering into positive talks with us back in June, are sadly not willing to make any changes at store level this year. Their Sustainability team at Morrisons head office have also been non-committal about removing from the store plan for 2025. This is understandably disappointing given that Sainsbury’s has been positively reactive to the issues raised at a community-level. Added to the announcement that Lidl made the move to ban the sale of single-use disposable BBQs from 2024 onwards.
The Co-Op, of which we have 2 stores within the Bude area, continue to sell single-use disposable BBQs. Against all of our conversations with them, presenting data and advice, they refuse to listen to their local community.
In addition to the fact that disposable BBQs are single use items, and are therefore a waste of valuable resources such as paper, wood, plastic, aluminium and steel, they present the following issues:
- Disposable BBQs burn people and animals. If a BBQ is placed on sand, the sand will stay hot enough to cause serious burns long after the BBQ has been removed. Since many people who buy them use them on our town beaches, we do not want this to happen in Bude. Disposable BBQs also cause bin fires every year in Bude.
- Disposable BBQs have sharp edges and, if left on the beach, or buried in the sand (it does happen) can cause cuts to feet.
- Disposable BBQs are often imported from countries that do not have great human rights records or use wood that is sustainably sourced. Therefore their impact, from transport and environmental destruction, is greater than that posed locally.
The good news is that both Bude stores Lidl and Sainsbury’s have decided not to stock single-use disposable BBQs!
Sadly we aren’t able to place B&M on our Good list. Despite lots and LOTS of attempts to engage with them, they have not responded to us.
The Co-Op join B&M on the Bad list. Despite lots of communication, their Ethics, Sustainability & Policy Manager Orla Waters doesn’t care about the environmental impacts and risks to people and wildlife, and The Co-Op will continue to sell these harmful products.
We understand that stores may see a good income from these items, but we think there are better ways of doing things – namely using locally sourced charcoal and reusable BBQs, of which there are many different kinds available locally. Or better yet, take a picnic to the beach instead!
How You Can Help
Individuals keen to support this cause can contribute directly by signing our PETITION: Remove single-use disposable BBQs from sale in Bude HERE. Supporters can also contact their local beach shops and/or supermarkets and ask them to remove these harmful products from sale.
This campaign is not merely a response to a seasonal issue but a transformative step towards sustainable coastal management. By embracing change we hope to pave the way for cleaner, safer, and more resilient beaches and coastline in Bude for generations to come.
For more updates and to follow the progress, subscribe to Visit Bude, visit our social media channels and stay connected with the #thebudeway
Let’s Hold Bude Close and say NO to single-use disposable BBQs. Together we can achieve more in reducing single-use waste.