Chewing gum litter tackled in rerun campaign

In 2014 the Craigavon area saw a 56 per cent gum reduction in hotspot areas monitored during the campaign and it is expected a similar reduction will be observed this year.

The campaign includes lamppost banners, ATM’s and sides of buses has been funded by the Chewing Gum Action Group ( CGAG), an organisation chaired by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and by the chewing gum industry to tackle gum litter in the UK.

A paved area in Market Street, Lurgan was transformed with brightly-coloured circles to highlight the significant amount of gum that has been dropped. Supporting the campaign for the second year running, representatives from council’s Environmental Services along with pupils from Lismore Comprehensive took to the street to circle discarded gum using water soluble fluorescent chalk, and witness the public reaction to the eye-catching measle-like patterns created across one of the busiest areas in the bprough.

Lord Mayor Cllr Darryn Causby, said: “We want the people of the borough to feel immensely proud of where they live which is why we have partnered with the Chewing Gum Action Group to raise awareness and proactively tackle the issue of gum litter.

“Year on year, chewing gum litter is costly and difficult to remove, therefore we hope that this campaign will encourage gum chewers to bin their gum the right way and understand that they can play a part in making our area a more attractive place to live.”

Ian Humphreys, chief executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful added: “Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful is delighted to show its support. Chewing gum litter is a major issue and one that blights many of our streets therefore we are delighted that Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council is taking part in the creative campaign this year, sending a strong message for visitors and residents to bin their gum.”