A CAMPAIGN based in Bude is encouraging beach-goers to ditch disposable barbecues this summer, warning of the dangers to people and risks to the environment.

The #2minutebeachclean, founded by Bude man Martin Dorey, has produced a video urging people to ditch disposable barbecues this summer, stating they cause harm to the environment, as well as beach-goers. With the simple slogan ‘Fancy a grilling? Forget the disposables’ — it is hoped the message will be loud and clear to people visiting beaches during the warm afternoons and evenings.

In the #2minutebeachclean video, Martin explains how the ‘so called disposable barbecue’ can pose a risk to all beach users — from families, to animals and marine wildlife.

Disposable barbecues very often use charcoal from unsustainable tropical forest sources, and are ‘designed to be thrown away’, meaning the plastic packaging and the aluminium body of the barbecue, are very often left on the beach. When one of these barbecues are left on a beach, smouldering in the sand, they can pose a risk to young children running about, with sharp edges to the barbecue and being known to cause third degree burns. They also produce the ‘silent killer’ carbon monoxide.

Martin brings the video to its conclusion by saying: “They are just wasteful, dangerous and frankly stupid,” and goes on to encourage the use of bucket barbecues — which can be reused and save money, with the only waste being the ash left when the fire goes out.

For more information about the #2minutebeachclean, visit https://beachclean.net/