A community group is calling for the ban of sales of disposable barbecues after continued problems with mess
A community group has launched a campaign calling for the ban of disposable barbecues.
Lauriston Street and Gardens has embarked on a Better Barbecue Quest – which aims to ensure people act responsibly when they host barbecues on public land.
And the group of volunteers is aiming to create a petition calling for the ban of disposable barbecues after complaints have been made about land being damaged at the Meadows in Edinburgh for decades – where the group has created a community garden.
“There have been communications with the council for 20 years over land being damaged and mess being made at the Meadows,” said group member Sarah Tolley.
“It has been a growing problem in recent years. The worst thing about it is the people that are leaving the barbecues expect someone else to clean up their mess.
“And there’s no excuse for it as there are really good and affordable reusable barbecues which can be easily transported.”
Issues with waste left behind following periods of good weather have also been experienced at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. Visitors were urged to use the park responsibly after the park was littered with discarded barbecues, bottles and food waste last month.
Other concerns that have been raised about the use of disposable barbecues include the danger of fire in open spaces and carbon emissions caused by open fires.
The group is holding its Don’t Burn the Meadows event on Sunday 10 June where it will launch its quest and begin consulting people in the area for their thoughts on a petition. Volunteers will go on a hunt for burnt patches or mess that has been created by barbecues, with microseed technology being used to repair areas which will then be monitored.
Tolley stressed that the group is keen to have a positive conversation on the use of barbecues, with the aim of ensuring that recreational spaces remain in good condition so they can be used by the community.
“We want to ask people what they think, and don’t want this to be a case of telling people what they can and can’t do.
“Our aim is to get the supermarkets to stop selling disposable barbecues. If they focus on selling portable reusable barbecues then they will still be able to make money from all the products that people want when they have a barbecue.”
The event takes place at the community garden in the Meadows (near the Edinburgh University Main Library) from 3pm to 6pm on 10 June.
