Gum litter message sticks

THE message to clean up our streets has stuck, with an 85% reduction in chewing gum litter in Carmarthenshire.

It follows a council campaign in March and April which encouraged people to put their gum in the bin.

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 approximately £30,000 a year to remove chewing gum from county streets.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is the third year running we have taken part in this campaign and I am delighted with the results which show a significant reduction in chewing gum litter.

“This means the message is getting across, I just hope people continue to take notice and put their litter in the bin, whether it’s chewing gum or another type of litter. The council is determined to create a cleaner environment for both residents and visitors to Carmarthenshire to enjoy and those caught spoiling it will be fined.”

Anyone caught dropping litter – including chewing gum – can get fined £75 or up to £2,500 if prosecuted in court.

Carmarthenshire County Council was one of 15 local authorities nationwide to take part in the 2012 campaign.

Funded by the Chewing Gum Action Group, a joint initiative between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the chewing gum industry, Keep Britain Tidy and Chartered Institution of Wastes Management; it called on everyone to play their part in creating a cleaner, better Britain ahead of the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee by putting their gum in a bin.

A Chewing Gum Action Group spokesperson said: “We are really pleased with the reduction in Carmarthenshire and grateful for all the support the local authority has provided. Encouraging behaviour change is the only long-term and sustainable solution to the problem of littered gum and we remain totally committed to tackling this issue.”

About the Chewing Gum Action Group

The Chewing Gum Action Group, set up in 2003, is chaired by Defra and brings together representatives from the chewing gum industry, Keep Britain Tidy, the Local Government Association (LGA), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Government, The Welsh Government and the Food and Drink Federation. The Chewing Gum Action Group helps local authorities tackle gum litter by providing the resources to launch, implement and monitor local campaigns.

More information on the group, past campaigns and research can be found at www.chewinggumactiongroup.org.uk