Greens Propose Single Use Barbeque Ban

After weeks of warm weather, dry ground and the recent hosepipe ban, Cllr Claire Critchison (Green) is proposing to bar disposable barbeques on IW Council land, parks and public areas, including beaches. 

This week, the IW Council issued an urgent warning to residents and visitors after public litter bins in Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin were destroyed by heat from single-use grills.

The Green Party says that in addition to the alarming fire risk in bins, the increasing hot, dry summers can result in such fires spreading to surrounding areas and putting pressure on our emergency services. 

Cllr Critchison said:

“The destruction that improper disposal of these items causes is completely avoidable.

"The use of single use disposable items should always be discouraged but especially those that can cause harm to children and wildlife and create public safety concerns.

"Banning their use will hopefully support people to choose better options, and parish and town councils could be encouraged to provide suitable sustainable facilities in public spaces.“

Following her urgent question at last week's Environment and Community Protection Committee, Cllr Critchison is also requesting that in future the Council looks to implement a Public Space Protection Order to enforce the ban on disposable barbeques across all Council land from next year, in addition to prohibiting the release of lanterns and balloons due to the environmental damage they cause.