Are Daytrippers Really Spoiling Wexford’s Beaches?

Are Daytrippers Really Spoiling Wexford’s Beaches? A Fair Look — And Real Solutions 

What’s Actually Happening on Wexford’s Beaches?

According to local reports, the biggest problems include:

• Disposable BBQs left on the sand, sometimes still hot

• Picnic rubbish (foil trays, plastic bottles, food packaging)

• Charcoal dumped in dunes, which damages wildlife

• Bins overflowing on busy days, leading to wind‑blown litter

Most of this isn’t malicious — it’s a mix of poor facilities, unclear signage, and people not knowing what to do with a hot BBQ when they’re heading home.

Why Portable BBQs Cause Such a Problem

Disposable BBQs are convenient, cheap, and perfect for a day out — but they’re also:

• Hot for hours, long after people leave

• Difficult to extinguish safely without water

• Not accepted in many public bins

• A fire risk in dunes and dry grass

• Made of mixed materials, which complicates disposal

The result? Some visitors simply leave them behind, assuming someone else will deal with them.

Practical Solutions That Actually Work

Here’s the part that matters: we can fix this without banning BBQs or blaming visitors.

1. Clear, Visible Signage at Car Parks and Beach Entrances

Most people want to do the right thing — they just don’t know the rules.

Signage should explain:

• BBQs must be fully extinguished

• Hot BBQs cannot go in public bins

• Charcoal must not be dumped in dunes

• Where designated disposal points are located

Even a simple “Take Your BBQ Home — Hot Ash Can Cause Fires” sign makes a difference.

2. Provide Dedicated BBQ Disposal Bins (Like UK Coastal Towns Do)

Many UK beaches use metal ash bins designed specifically for:

• Hot charcoal

• Disposable BBQ trays

• Ash and embers

These bins don’t melt, don’t catch fire, and give daytrippers a safe place to leave their BBQ waste.

Wexford County Council could pilot these at:

• Courtown

• Curracloe

• Morriscastle

• Rosslare

Even a small number would dramatically reduce beach litter.

3. Encourage Reusable, Portable BBQs Instead of Disposable Ones

Reusable portable BBQs:

• Stay cooler for transport

• Produce less waste

• Are easier to extinguish

• Last for years

A simple message — “Bring a reusable BBQ and leave nothing behind” — is far more effective than shaming daytrippers.

4. For Daytrippers Travelling by Car: How to Safely Dispose of a Portable (Disposable) BBQ

This is the part most people genuinely don’t know.

Step‑by‑Step Safe Disposal Guide

1. Fully extinguish the BBQ

• Pour water over the charcoal until it stops steaming

• Stir the ash to ensure no hot pockets remain

• If water isn’t available, sand can be used — but water is better

2. Let it cool for at least 20–30 minutes  

Place it on a stone, concrete, or sand — never in dunes.

3. Wrap the cooled BBQ  

Use foil or the original packaging to prevent ash spilling in the car.

4. Bring it home in the boot  

Once fully cooled, disposable BBQs can go into your general waste bin at home.

5. Charcoal ash

• Cold ash can be bagged and placed in general waste

• Never dump ash in dunes or grass — it kills vegetation and can reignite

This simple process removes 90% of the problem.

5. More Bins Isn’t the Answer — Smarter Bins Are

Overflowing bins create more litter than no bins at all.

Instead of adding more plastic bins, councils should consider:

• Metal ash bins

• Larger-capacity summer bins

• Timed emptying schedules on peak days

• “Take Your Rubbish Home” zones where appropriate

A mix of these approaches works best.

A Shared Responsibility — Without the Finger‑Pointing

Wexford’s beaches belong to everyone — locals, tourists, daytrippers, and families who drive down for a few hours of sunshine. The goal isn’t to shame visitors but to make it easy for them to leave the beach exactly as they found it.

With:

• Better signage

• Proper disposal facilities

• Clear guidance for BBQ users

• A culture of “leave no trace”

…we can protect the coastline without losing the joy of a summer BBQ by the sea.

Final Thought

Most people don’t set out to harm the environment. They just need the right information and the right facilities. If Wexford leads the way with smart, practical solutions, we can keep our beaches clean, safe, and welcoming — for locals and daytrippers alike.