ANNOUNCEMENT! Bude Sainsbury’s has committed to remove single-use disposable BBQs from sale!

As you will have seen we are embarking on what we hope will be a big campaign to engage with businesses, visitors and Bude’s community on eradicating these harmful products from sale in our town. This morning we received word from Sainsbury’s that they will be removing single-use disposable BBQs from sale in their Bude store.

Single-use barbecues pose a significant risk to our environment, they are not recyclable, non-reusable and contribute to deforestation. You will notice that these products are labelled as ‘sustainable’ and ‘recyclable’, often seen with a green tick – this is greenwash. Disposable BBQs are generally made up of 7 elements: the foil tray, charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid paper, metal grill sheet, colour paper sheet, cardboard tray and soft plastic packaging. To have any hope of them being recycled, users would need to extinguish the item, wait for it to cool down from 400°, take apart the sharp metal elements, remove food traces, then transport the parts to at least three different locations as Cornwall Council and Bude Stratton Council do not provide recycling bins in any public spaces. The reality of users taking these products away to recycle elsewhere is very unlikely.

These products pose safety hazards, including the risk of fires and injury to people, pets and wildlife when left unattended. If left on sand or buried they become even hotter. They pollute the environment, affecting both land and marine ecosystems.

As one of the major supermarkets serving Bude, and the closest to our beaches, this is a huge moment for the campaign! There are far safer options for consumers – firstly portable BBQs. There are so many fantastic models available from a range of producers, and at a rage of price points. Or better yet #BringAPicnicNotABBQ!

Waitrose & Partners Marks and Spencer Lidl GB and Southern Co-op have already removed disposable barbecues from sale. Will you join us in removing single-use disposable BBQs from Bude?