Waitrose and Aldi end sales of disposable barbecues

WAITROSE will stop selling disposable barbecues to help reduce harm to the environment, and other supermarkets are planning to follow suit.

The company said it has already removed the range, which starts at 88p, from almost all of its stores. It added that this was “the right thing to do to help preserve our local ecosystems”.

Aldi also announced that it would be removing all disposable barbecues from its shelves, while Co-op said in June that it would no longer sell disposable barbecues in 130 shops located within a one-mile radius of national parks.

It comes after the National Fire Chiefs Council raised concerns over the number of instant-barbecue-related fires, both in outdoor spaces and in the home when used on balconies or too close to garden fences and trees.

Lucy Comer, at Waitrose, said: “Disposable barbecues present a risk to our natural habitats and this is why we’ve committed to removing them from our shelves this year. This is another example of the work we’re doing to protect the planet. We applaud Aldi for standing with us to make this happen and we hope other retailers will follow.”

The supermarket sells around 70,000 disposable barbecues each year and said the change would save 11.2 tons of shrink-wrap plastic each year.

Aldi said the removal of disposable barbecues would save 35 tons of singleuse waste packaging.

Liz Fox, at Aldi UK said: “We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and know that many of our shoppers are looking to do the same. We hope customers can embrace our latest move and still want them to enjoy summer picnics and barbecues.

“As an alternative, we encourage customers to opt for more environmentally friendly and sustainable options such as mini portable barbecues, ensuring they are used responsibly.”