Carmarthenshire campaign to bin gum
A campign has been launched to clean up Carmarthenshire’s sticky streets.
Chewing gum litter is not only an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up.
In fact, it costs the council more than £30,000 a year to remove chewing gum from the streets of Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford – money that could be better spent on other essential services.
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson launched the council’s ‘Bin your gum’ campaign in Carmarthen.
The launch took place at the Apollo cinema in St Catherine’s Walk and then there were lots of activities in Guildhall Square with singing and dancing from the Gregory Brothers and Eco Eli, the council’s eco-friendly elephant; a special appearance from Scarlets star Ken Owens, face painting and fun and games.
Pupils from Amman Valley Comprehensive School were also giving out free gum-wraps.
Ms Davidson said: “Chewing gum litter has a negative impact on Wales' local environment and is very expensive to clean up. It is also an offence which means that anyone caught dropping chewing gum could be fined or prosecuted. I hope that the campaign will raise awareness of the problems caused by chewing gum litter, and encourage everyone to dispose of their gum responsibly in a bin.”
Carmarthenshire County Council is the only Welsh authority selected by the Chewing Gum Action Group to take part in this year’s campaign.
It is also being supported by Tidy Towns, a Welsh Assembly Government-funded initiative delivered in partnership by the council and Keep Wales Tidy.
Council leader Meryl Gravell said: “We are delighted that Carmarthenshire has been chosen to take part in this year’s campaign.
“It is important that we work together to create a cleaner and safer environment for both residents and visitors to the county to enjoy.”
The council’s gum-busting team have also visited Llanelli town centre and Tesco in Ammanford to try and make the gum litter message stick!
Those who don’t out their gum in the bin can be issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75.
The council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We hope the message, which highlights the fine for littering, will persuade chewers to think twice about dropping their gum on the floor and encourage them to use the bins available.
“We don’t want to fine people, we want people to behave responsibly and put their litter in the bin, but if they don’t and they continue to break the law in this way, we will not hesitate to prosecute them for their actions.”
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson with the Gregory Brothers, Scarlets star Ken Owens and Eco Eli.
Amman Valley school pupils and eco schools co-ordinator Nathan Goddard at the ‘Bin your gum’ campaign launch in Carmarthen
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson launches the ‘Bin your gum’ campaign at the Apollo cinema in Carmarthen with council leader Meryl Gravell.
Chewing gum litter is not only an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up.
In fact, it costs the council more than £30,000 a year to remove chewing gum from the streets of Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford – money that could be better spent on other essential services.
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson launched the council’s ‘Bin your gum’ campaign in Carmarthen.
The launch took place at the Apollo cinema in St Catherine’s Walk and then there were lots of activities in Guildhall Square with singing and dancing from the Gregory Brothers and Eco Eli, the council’s eco-friendly elephant; a special appearance from Scarlets star Ken Owens, face painting and fun and games.
Pupils from Amman Valley Comprehensive School were also giving out free gum-wraps.
Ms Davidson said: “Chewing gum litter has a negative impact on Wales' local environment and is very expensive to clean up. It is also an offence which means that anyone caught dropping chewing gum could be fined or prosecuted. I hope that the campaign will raise awareness of the problems caused by chewing gum litter, and encourage everyone to dispose of their gum responsibly in a bin.”
Carmarthenshire County Council is the only Welsh authority selected by the Chewing Gum Action Group to take part in this year’s campaign.
It is also being supported by Tidy Towns, a Welsh Assembly Government-funded initiative delivered in partnership by the council and Keep Wales Tidy.
Council leader Meryl Gravell said: “We are delighted that Carmarthenshire has been chosen to take part in this year’s campaign.
“It is important that we work together to create a cleaner and safer environment for both residents and visitors to the county to enjoy.”
The council’s gum-busting team have also visited Llanelli town centre and Tesco in Ammanford to try and make the gum litter message stick!
Those who don’t out their gum in the bin can be issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75.
The council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We hope the message, which highlights the fine for littering, will persuade chewers to think twice about dropping their gum on the floor and encourage them to use the bins available.
“We don’t want to fine people, we want people to behave responsibly and put their litter in the bin, but if they don’t and they continue to break the law in this way, we will not hesitate to prosecute them for their actions.”
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson with the Gregory Brothers, Scarlets star Ken Owens and Eco Eli.
Amman Valley school pupils and eco schools co-ordinator Nathan Goddard at the ‘Bin your gum’ campaign launch in Carmarthen
Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson launches the ‘Bin your gum’ campaign at the Apollo cinema in Carmarthen with council leader Meryl Gravell.
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