Following last year’s #BBQsBurnMoreThanBangers campaign, Litter Free Dorset have launched a new campaign #ChooseToRemoveDisposableBBQs, asking shops across Dorset to remove disposable BBQs this year. 

Over 1 million disposable BBQs were sold in the UK last year. In May last year, it only took a couple of BBQs to burn down an area the size of over 200 football pitches in Wareham Forest. Disposable BBQs are often disposed of inappropriately, sometimes without being put out properly, which frequently results in wildfire, with devastating environmental impacts. Dorset averages 400 outdoor grass related fires on heathlands and forests every year. Fires on heathland destroys wildlife, are a risk to the surrounding community and contribute to climate change.

The #ChooseToRemoveDisposableBBQs campaign is part of Dorset Council’s efforts to reduce wildfire across Dorset. This year, Dorset Council are banning disposable BBQs and campfires from high fire risk areas across Dorset. A joint campaign with other local authorities, organisations and landowners is being developed to communicate to visitors and residents where they are not allowed to have BBQs and campfires this Summer.

Litter Free Dorset are working with a large number local communities and businesses to ensure the success of this campaign. They have already had conversations with local shops as well as large supermarket chains such as Tesco’s, Coop, Waitrose and Sainsburys. 

Sophie Colley from Litter Free Dorset said “A huge Thank you goes to the businesses that have already taken it upon themselves to stop selling disposable BBQs altogether. If you are still selling disposable BBQs please reconsider removing them and displaying safety messaging next to any other BBQ related items.”

If you are a business that is choosing to not sell disposable BBQs this year, you can email: litterfreedorset@gmail.com to let them know and download a poster to display in your shop. Your business will be added to a growing list of local businesses choosing to remove disposable BBQs from sale in Dorset.”