Chewing gum is the most difficult type of litter to deal with. Being sticky in its form, normal street cleaning methods and litter picking proves difficult with dropped gum being trodden down and eventually staining the ground with dark unsightly blotches.
Extreme methods like jet washing and steam cleaning need to be applied however this is very costly to local authorities and these methods cannot be used on all surfaces due to the risk of damage.
Changing the behaviour of those who drop litter remains the most effective solution. In 2003, the Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAG) was established to change the attitudes of people that drop gum and to promote positive behaviour and correct disposal. The Group, which is chaired by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), brings together gum manufacturers, the Local Government Association, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and also Keep Britain Tidy.
Keep Britain Tidy has been a member of the Group since it was established and has supported several successful national campaigns run by the Group to tackle gum litter.
To find out more about the Chewing Gum Action Group campaigns, please visit the website at www.chewinggumactiongroup.org.uk. To receive free posters and downloads to help tackle chewing gum litter, please click here to contact the Group.