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.

In addition to the fact that disposable BBQs are single use items, and are therefore wasteful 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.

Earlier this year we reached out to Bude businesses, asking them for their support of our pledge to remove single-use BBQs from sale in Bude.

Sadly, we are seeing a huge number of single-use disposable BBQs in Bude’s shops. 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!

We will publish our findings soon, and you will be able to see the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to sustainable practice.

Let’s Hold Bude Close and say NO to single-use disposable BBQs. Together we can achieve more in reducing single-use waste.