Major grocery retailers have ceased the sale of disposable BBQs in response to a wildfire warning issued in the UK. Asda recently halted the sale of disposable BBQs, while Tesco and Co-op suspended sales the previous month. Sainsbury’s has also withdrawn disposable BBQs until August 12. Additionally, Wilko and The Range have initiated the removal of these products from both stores and online platforms. Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and M&S have refrained from selling disposable grills since 2022.

The decision to stop selling disposable BBQs comes amidst ongoing hot and dry weather conditions across parts of the UK, leading to the Met Office declaring July as the driest month for England and Wales in the past 190 years. Human activities typically ignite wildfires, but the current drought and dry vegetation have facilitated the rapid spread of fires. Firefighters have already responded to over 700 wildfires this year, including incidents in Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Rhondda Valley in Wales recently.

The retailers’ actions align with voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), effective until the following Wednesday. Inga Becker-Hansen, Products Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium, emphasized the retailers’ commitment to customer and environmental safety, complying with BRC guidelines. She stated that retailers have been advised to remove disposable barbecues from sale during this period of extreme heat. Collaboration with local authorities to mitigate fire risks is encouraged, alongside promoting responsible use of disposable BBQs by the public.

Labour MP Jon Pearce of High Peak, Derbyshire, urged businesses to stop selling disposable BBQs for the remainder of the summer. Pearce highlighted the need for mandatory implementation of NFCC guidance on disposable BBQs, emphasizing the necessity to adapt to the changing climate and prepare for future summers. Co-op and Tesco spokespersons reiterated their commitment to environmental responsibility, temporarily removing disposable BBQs from sale in accordance with NFCC guidance and the British Retail Consortium’s voluntary code.