New partners in chewing gum litter campaign announced
12 January 2012
Local authorities across the UK have pledged their support to the latest Chewing Gum Action Group’s campaign in a bid to rid our streets of the sticky issue of gum litter.
The group’s sixth national campaign, which is set to run in March 2012, will see 16 local authorities working with all sectors of their communities to encourage people to take responsibility for their litter and put their used gum in a bin.
Since 2005, the Chewing Gum Action Group has run annual campaigns in partnership with local authorities, helping to achieve reductions in dropped chewing gum litter of up to 91% locally. In 2011, the campaign successfully reduced the amount of gum litter on our streets by 56% - a 6% improvement on the previous year’s campaign.
The 2012 campaign will see the chosen local authorities taking part in an advertising campaign based on a new creative and messaging calling on everyone to play their part in creating a cleaner, better Britain, achieved simply by putting their gum in a bin.
A spokesperson for the Chewing Gum Action Group said: “Over the last five years our campaigns have seen great results in local authorities across the country and we are delighted that councils continue to give us their support to rid our streets of irresponsibly dropped gum.
“2011 has seen the campaign deliver terrific results and we are pleased to have 16 fantastic partners involved for the 2012 campaign. We are looking forward to even more success in encouraging people to responsibly dispose of their litter.
“People need to take pride in their streets, towns and cities, and show they love where they live. By simply disposing of gum responsibly in a bin, everyone can help to reduce the litter and staining it causes.”
The 16 partners taking part in the 2012 Chewing Gum Action Group’s campaign are:
Bournemouth Council
Cardiff Council
Carmarthenshire County Council
City of London Corporation
Coventry City Council
Islington Council
Highland Council
Lewisham Council
London Borough of Camden
London Borough of Hackney
London Borough of Haringey
London Borough of Merton
Newport City Council
Nottingham City Council
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
The Chewing Gum Action Group is chaired by Defra and brings together representatives from the chewing gum industry, Keep Britain Tidy, Keep Wales Tidy, the Local Government Association (LGA), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Food and Drink Federation.