£1.65 million in funding is now available for councils across the UK to tackle chewing gum pollution, in year two of the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Fund.
Councils across the UK can now apply for funding of up to £25,000 to fund street cleansing and specialist chewing gum cleaning equipment. The grants are supplemented by “fully-funded” gum litter prevention packages for each council, including targeted behaviour change signage and advice.
The scheme’s first annual report, released this week, shows that 53 councils benefitted from funding in 2022.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, said: “Chewing gum litter is a horrible stain on our streets, and the costs of cleaning up the mess is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money. This scheme gives councils right across the country a big helping hand to ensure less gum finds its way onto our pavements.”
This scheme gives councils right across the country a big helping hand to ensure less gum finds its way onto our pavements.
By combining targeted street cleaning with specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum, Keep Britain Tidy, the environmental charity and scheme administrator, says participating councils have seen reductions in gum littering of up to 80% in the first two months.
Set up by Defra (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs), the Chewing Gum Task Force brings together “major chewing gum producers”, including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle.
Under the scheme, Keep Britain Tidy says the firms will invest up to £10m over five years to help reduce chewing gum pollution. The fund is now open to councils in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, commented: “After a very successful year of tackling gum littering, I am delighted that we are able to continue to support councils through a second year of grant awards and encourage communities to take pride in their local areas by keeping their streets clean.”
