Rushcliffe is one of more than 50 councils across the UK will receive a share of £1.2 million to combat the scourge of chewing gum litter on the country’s high streets, thanks to grants handed out today (Tuesday 17 June) by the government and charity Keep Britain Tidy.
It’s the fourth round of funding from the Chewing Gum Taskforce, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change to deliver safer and cleaner streets.
Chewing gum creates an unsightly mess and incurs huge clean-up costs. Launched in 2021, the partnership between industry, government and funds from gum producers aims to curb anti-social littering and help local councils acquire cutting-edge cleaning equipment to boost street cleaning efforts.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said:
“We’re grateful to Keep Britain Tidy for this third year of dedicated funding and clear
more areas spoilt by chewing gum.
“Gum waste is a real eyesore and we know it’s a problem across the country. It can
stick to footwear and clothing so we want to encourage people to bin their it – there
really are no excuses to not do so.
“Funding in recent years has seen us purchase a specialist hot water pressure
washer unit and three fully electric gum removal machines as well as installation of
new signage.
“The equipment is very good and works well for our cleansing team and aligns in
their Carbon Clever efforts to protect the environment even further.”
Innovative plans will benefit from the latest round of grants. For instance, using the latest technology, Bradford Metropolitan District Council plans to deploy specialist steam cleaners, while Cheshire Council will hire new specialists to undertake intensive cleaning in areas with high public footfall.
This initiative not only enhances community pride by improving the cleanliness and appearance of local high streets but also supports regional growth by creating more inviting spaces for residents to visit. Cleaner streets contribute to safer environments and are essential in supporting hospitality businesses and restoring pride in our communities.
Environment Minister Mary Creagh said:
“Chewing gum litter is a stain on our communities. These grants, funded by gum producers, will empower local councils to tackle this issue head-on, delivering cleaner streets for all.
“This government is committed to ending our throwaway society. That is why we have already banned single-use vapes, and announced a crackdown on waste crime.”
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said:
“Chewing gum continues to be an unsightly form of litter in our public spaces – though thankfully the scheme is leading to significant reductions. People need to remember that disposing irresponsibly of their gum causes harm to our environment as it takes years to decompose naturally – and, ultimately, costs the public purse to clean it up.”
Naomi Jones, Corporate Affairs Director at Mars Wrigley UK and Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to continue supporting the Chewing Gum Task Force as it enters its fourth year and to see more local authorities join up as well as others returning, having seen the reductions in gum litter and create sustained change through changing behaviours. Chewing gum products are enjoyed around the UK by millions every year, and we want to keep encouraging responsible gum disposal as part of this.”
Hayley Osborne, Communications and Sustainability Manager at Perfetti Van Melle, said:
“We’re really pleased that the Chewing Gum Task Force grants have been able to make such a big impact over the past four years. Whilst the results of the clean-up are immediately obvious, it’s also important to note that the funding is used to educate gum users, nudging them into better habits. Last year the educational posters distributed delivered a 60% reduction in gum litter in just two months. This is fantastic, and we hope that with better education, we can all enjoy cleaner streets as well as our favourite gum.”
Today’s funding marks further momentum by the Chewing Gum Task Force, with the previous three rounds of funding awarding grants worth a total of £4.88 million to 122 councils.
Last year alone, more than 3.4 million square metres of pavements were scrubbed free of chewing gum due to funding from the grant scheme.
