Sticky streets cost council £30k a year to clean up

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Griffiths has helped to launch Carmarthenshire’s chewing gum litter campaign.

Mr Griffiths visited Bryngwyn Comprehensive School in Llanelli and spoke to pupils about the gum litter problem.

He said: “We want everyone in Wales to enjoy cities, towns and villages that are clean and tidy. Unfortunately chewing gum litter is having a negative effect on the quality of local environments right across Wales and it is the most difficult type of litter to clear up, with recent estimates suggesting that it costs up to £2.50 to remove each piece of gum.

“This is not just a financial issue though. Chewing gum litter is contaminating our streets and is impacting on the perceptions that people have of our beautiful country and our own enjoyment of it.

“This campaign is all about educating people to change their behaviour in an effort to ensure a long term solution to the chewing gum problem, and I am delighted that both Carmarthenshire and Newport are involved.”

Carmarthenshire County Council, supported by Tidy Towns, and Newport County Council were two of just 12 local authorities chosen to take part in the Chewing Gum Action Group campaign.

Not only is chewing gum litter an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up. It costs the council £30,000 a year just to remove chewing gum from our sticky streets.

Now people are being warned that they could get fined £75 if caught littering our towns and villages in this way.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “We are delighted to be taking part in this campaign for the second year running. Hopefully the message will persuade people to think twice about dropping their gum on the floor and encourage them to use the bins available.

“The council is determined to create a cleaner environment for both residents and visitors to Carmarthenshire to enjoy.”

As part of the launch, pupils at Bryngwyn School designed eye-catching posters to try and encourage people to bin their gum.

Headteacher Paul Jones said: “Bryngwyn was delighted to be part of the launch of the chewing gum initiative. Our pupils are active in environmental issues as part of both the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification and our drive to gain Green Flag status for our environmental and sustainability projects.

“The pupils were also delighted to show the Minister John Griffiths around Bryngwyn.”

Carmarthenshire’s gum-busting team was also out and about in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford to try and get the message to stick.

Local authorities chosen to take part in the campaign received no direct funding but received paid-for campaign materials and outdoor advertising space such as ad-bikes and lightpost banners.