Major UK supermarkets, including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, and Sainsbury's, have removed disposable barbecues from their shelves amid escalating wildfire warnings as a prolonged heatwave continues to grip the Midlands and other parts of the country.
Asda pulled single-use grills from its stores on Tuesday, following the lead of other retailers. The Co-op and Tesco are understood to have paused sales of disposable BBQs in July, while Sainsbury's has agreed to withdraw them until August 12. Retailers including Wilko and The Range have also started removing them from stores and online. Notably, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and M&S have not sold disposable grills since 2022.
Voluntary Guidance from Fire Chiefs
These actions are in line with voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), which remains in effect until next Wednesday. The guidance urges retailers to suspend sales of disposable BBQs to reduce the risk of wildfires during periods of extreme heat.
Fire chiefs have warned that wildfires are becoming an 'increasingly significant and sustained pressure' on services, with more than 700 incidents already reported in England and Wales this year. The NFCC has specifically advised against using disposable BBQs in open countryside, parks, and moorland areas to 'significantly reduce the risk' of blazes.
Political Pressure and Calls for Action
Jon Pearce, the Labour MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, wrote to retail giants last week asking them to stop selling single-use grills for the rest of the summer. He welcomed the decisions by major chains but urged smaller retailers to follow suit. Pearce also stressed the need for government action in the coming year to help the country adapt to a changing climate.
Speaking to the Press Association, Pearce said the NFCC guidance on disposable BBQs should be made mandatory. He added: 'The big retailers are taking the lead, which is great, but now we need the others to come in behind them. Asking them to suspend sales this summer is to deal with the immediate problem but we have to accept the fact that the climate has changed. Last summer was the worst on record for wildfires. This year will almost certainly surpass it. We need to adapt quickly to our changing climate and start planning for next summer now.'
Retailers' Responses
A Co-op spokesperson said: 'Co-op takes its environmental and community responsibilities extremely seriously and has a long-standing policy for the safe sale of disposable BBQs, supported by the NFCC. Due to the very hot weather and drought conditions the UK is currently experiencing, and in line with the NFCC guidance, we have voluntarily removed all disposable BBQs from sale for a temporary period.'
A Tesco spokesperson added: 'As a responsible retailer Tesco follows the voluntary code on the sale of disposable barbecues created by the British Retail Consortium and the NFCC. In line with the code, we have temporarily removed disposable barbecues from sale across our stores and online.'
Impact and Future Outlook
Pearce said he would continue campaigning for a ban on the use of disposable BBQs in public spaces, adding: 'The Government needs to genuinely look at what's happening. It's great retailers are supporting us this summer but I would expect the Government to look at the risks and act ahead of next summer.'
The removal of disposable BBQs from supermarket shelves is a significant step in mitigating wildfire risks, but experts and campaigners argue that more comprehensive measures, including legislation, are necessary to address the long-term challenges posed by climate change. As the heatwave persists, residents are urged to follow safety guidelines and avoid using disposable grills in vulnerable areas.
