Full list of shops that have BANNED summer staple including Lidl and M&S – but shoppers say it’s ‘great news’
IT’S hotting up, but if you’re heading to the shops this weekend, you may spot a summer staple is missing from the shelves.
Major retailers including Lidl and M&S have decided to limit, and even ban, the sale of disposable barbecues.
This was due to concerns that they could cause wildfires when the country was hit with soaring temperatures and low rainfall in summer 2022.
Some supermarkets have since brought disposable BBQs back with certain rules and restrictions placed on their sale.
Shoppers with quick to praise the decision to band the controversial items as a means of protecting the environment.
One shopper said: “A good thing. Long overdue but a definite good thing.”
Another wrote: “They should be banned for good.”
And another simple added: “Great news.”
But with temperatures set to reach 26C in parts of England this weekend, many sun seekers may want to know if they can find them in their local supermarket.
It’s important to remember, that you should never put a disposable BBQ on any grassland area because of the risk of fire.
Plus, there may be restrictions on their use in National Parks, certain beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
So make sure you check the rules on either the local council or beauty spot’s website before you plan your visit.
Below, we’ve rounded what each supermarket is doing regarding the sale of disposable BBQs.
Aldi
In 2022, Aldi became the first supermarket to stop selling disposable barbecues in all of its UK stores.
And shoppers won’t see them returning to shelves this year as Aldi will not be stocking them this year either.
Aldi said the ban was made in a bid to protect the nation’s forests and wildlife, and would lead to the removal of approximately 35 tonnes of single-use waste packaging.
Safety tips for using a disposable BBQ
FIRE services across the country have shared their tips for using disposable BBQs and you can see their top tips below:
- Disposable BBQs must be placed on an even surface on either bricks or paving slabs.
- Never place it directly onto grass or wooden garden furniture.
- Place disposable barbecues well away from the house, shed or fences.
- Do not use disposable barbecues near or on public benches.
- If you’re using a disposable barbecue ensure it has cooled before putting it in the bin.
- To avoid starting a fire you should allow it to cool for several hours and then consider pouring water over it to make sure it’s out.
Morrisons
Morrisons removed disposable and portable barbecues from its stores within one mile of a national park to prevent wildfires in 2022.
This will continue this summer and it has been expanded to cover Morrisons Daily and McColl’s stores.
But if don’t live near a national park, you should still be able to pick up one in-store and you can also order them online.
Co-op
Co-op is selling disposable barbecues again this year after previously banning them two years ago.
The supermarket said it was concerned that an outright ban would lean to some people turning to “makeshift griddles” that can be unpredictable and dangerous.
But it has withdrawn the sale of instant BBQ’s from all of its stores within a one-mile radius of all UK National Parks.
Co-op says its barbecues are also fully recyclable.
Waitrose
Waitrose followed Aldi in 2022 with the disposable barbecue ban.
The supermarket removed the products from the shelves in 331 stores and they will not return this year.
M&S
Marks and Spencer took all disposable barbecues off its shelves last year.
A spokesman told The Sun that the retailer is banning the sale again this year to help protect open spaces and reduce the risk of fires.
Tesco
Tesco is selling small metal portable barbecues and a range of larger ones.
Tesco said it will continue to monitor conditions across the summer, in a move that could see them taken off shelves.
Asda
Asda shoppers will once again be able to get a disposable barbecue in store this year.
The supermarket joined other in 2022 in banning there sale as a result of the extreme weather.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s shoppers can also get their hands on a range of disposable BBQs this summer.
These include the £3 bar-be-quick single instant BBQ and the £6 party-sized version.
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