Dorset people urged to avoid disposable BBQs this year
Litter Free Dorset's issued advice for the Bank Holiday
There's a plea from Dorset campaigners to avoid disposable BBQs this Bank Holiday, and across the summer, to protect the local environment.
Litter Free Dorset has written an open letter to residents with a simple message: Save the mess and choose a picnic instead.
They've given a few reasons for the call to ditch the disposable BBQs:
• Fire Risk: If not disposed of correctly, they pose a significant fire risk. In May 2020, just a couple of BBQs torched an area equivalent to over 200 football pitches in Wareham Forest. Let’s protect our wildlife, community, and climate.
• Single Use Waste: Disposable BBQs contribute to the growing pile of waste sent to incinerators. As a society we can all do better to reduce single use and saying no disposable BBQs is a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Recycling Nightmare: Ever tried recycling a disposable BBQ? There are seven pieces to contend with: the foil tray, charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid paper, metal grill sheet, colour paper sheet, cardboard tray, and soft plastic packaging. Even if you manage to cool it down from 400°C, dismantling it is no picnic.
The group's also calling for Dorset shops to stop selling disposable BBQs, to make it easier for people to avoid them.
Some retailers have already chosen to take them off the shelves here, with Litter Free Dorset asking more to follow suit.