The call from Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, comes alongside Keep Britain Tidy’s summer campaign, #BanTheFlamingThings, to address three forms of litter that pose fire and safety risks to people and our natural environment; disposable single-use BBQs, sky lanterns and littered glass.
The heatwave has thrown a stark light on disposable BBQs and the damage that can be done if they are not put out properly – we are now seeing arrests where fires from BBQs have started and got out of control on tinder dry grass; a bin lorry has caught fire and far too many injuries where these are buried on sand with children and dogs burning their feet.
Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, said:
“Keep Britain Tidy are now campaigning to have these BBQs banned, and many supermarkets have already stopped selling them – thank you. However, the stacks of them alongside bins in North Devon’s most beautiful locations says many are still using them, despite the warnings against at this time.
For so many reasons disposable BBQs should not be sold in their current form – it is clearly very hard to properly dispose of an item that is on fire and full of hot charcoal! Reusable BBQs tend to have handles enabling them to be moved around more easily, and reused so making them more affordable as well. The heatwave and drought have made lighting fires of any type outside ill advised on open land this summer, but when conditions are more traditionally British, there are other ways to enjoy a BBQ away from home and not leave so much rubbish behind.
I have submitted a Ten Minute Rule Bill to the Whips Office at Westminster. This process is not quick, and there is a queue to get space in the Chamber, but it is one step I can take as an MP to highlight the level of concern and try to bring about change”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said of their campaign:
“Enough is enough! How many more fires started by abandoned barbecues or carelessly discarded glass bottles do we have to see before action is taken?
“Unless we outlaw the sale of disposable barbecues, ban sky lanterns and introduce a comprehensive deposit return scheme that would remove littered glass from our environment, these dangerous forms of litter will remain a significant risk to our environment and a potential threat to life.
We support Selaine Saxby MP as she works to get this Bill through parliament and bring about the necessary change to help protect Britain's environment."
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon added:
“With exam results coming out this week and a busy bank holiday weekend coming up, it is hopefully a time for many to celebrate, but if it is outdoors, please do take your rubbish home with you as so much of what is left on our shores washes into the sea, and potentially harms wildlife.”
