Ealing Council says it is stepping up efforts to removing and combating chewing gum litter on streets across the borough.
Having recently been awarded a £25,000 grant from Keep Britain Tidy through its Chewing Gum Task Force, the council will use the funds to buy new machines to remove gum from the streets as well as produce banners and posters to encourage people to change their behaviour and not spit out gum in public.
According to the council, it is targeting three initial areas: Greenford Station, Northolt Station, and South Ealing Station, which it claims are some of the worst places impacted by chewing gum.
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, Ealing Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action said: “Chewing gum is a blight on our streets, and with thousands of people travelling through these stations every day, we don’t want gum stains to be the first and last thing they see of our town centres. With this funding we will put in place a targeted campaign to remove littered gum and to educate residents and visitors on disposing of their gum responsibly.”
Across the UK, councils spend an estimated £7 million a year cleaning up gum.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive said: “Chewing gum litter is highly visible on our high streets and is both difficult and expensive to clean up, so the support for councils provided by the Chewing Gum Task Force and the gum manufacturers is very welcome.”
Ms Ogden-Newton added: “However, once the gum has been cleaned up, it is vital to remind the public that when it comes to litter, whether it’s gum or anything else, there is only one place it should be – in the bin – and that is why the behaviour change element of the task force’s work is so important.”
