UK to weigh permanent ban on disposable barbecues

The UK government is reviewing a permanent prohibition on disposable barbecues after receiving a petition signed by more than 20,000 people. This proposal follows extreme heatwaves and wildfires this year, which have amplified demands to remove these products from retail shelves.

Disposable barbecues, intended for one-time use and often burning for just two hours, have been directly tied to grassland and heathland fires. Many end up in landfills or as litter because recycling them is impractical. Earlier this year, the government already imposed a temporary ban in August, citing heightened fire dangers during prolonged dry spells.

A government representative confirmed that officials would evaluate whether a full ban was justified, stating: “The Government takes public safety very seriously and is aware of incidents involving disposable barbeques and the wider consequences such as wildfires, especially during the hot and dry spells during the summer.”

Mark Hall, founder of BusinessWaste.co.uk and the petition’s organizer, argued: “Our recent petition showed just how passionate people are about preventing the wildfires that ravage our natural environment. It’s great to see the Government’s response means there’s potential for an outright ban, and we believe this is the most effective option.”

Every year in the UK, fires caused by disposable barbecues are reported, and can lead to large-scale grassland and heath fires, causing long-term habitat loss. As a result, disposable barbecues more often than not end up in landfill if they aren’t abandoned or littered first.