'n-ergy works' plays key role in new campaign to reduce chewing gum litter
Encouraging residents to ‘Bin it your way’, the council has partnered with the Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAG), an organisation chaired by Defra and funded by the chewing gum industry, to tackle gum litter in the UK.
The campaign, now in its eighth year, sees industry working with councils and BIDs to develop local initiatives to reduce chewing gum litter.
Neath Port Talbot Council is among 16* local authorities and BIDs taking part in the 2013 activity.
Results from previous years demonstrate the significant impact of the campaign on gum litter levels.
Following 2012’s activity, gum litter levels fell by an average of 54% in participating areas, with some authorities reporting even better results.
Cardiff Council reported a 93% decrease whilst Nottingham City Council and Coventry City Council announced drops of 88% and 85% respectively.
The new advertising campaign features professionally choreographed and highly innovative dance moves, encouraging gum chewers to dispose responsibly of gum litter in a fun and engaging way or face a fine of up to £80.
The dynamic, brightly coloured adverts will appear in a range of locations across participating local authorities and districts, including roadside banners, bus stops, lamp-posts and telephone kiosks.
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Ali Thomas said: “Chewing gum litter is a real nuisance that is costly and difficult to remove. We want the residents of Neath and Port Talbot to be proud of where they live which is why we have partnered with the Chewing Gum Action Group to raise awareness and pro-actively tackle this problem.
“We hope that this campaign will encourage gum chewers to think before they dispose of their gum and understand that they can play a part in making Neath and Port Talbot clean and inviting places to live.”
In the Neath Port Talbot council area, the authority is working with South Wales social enterprise n-ergy works on the chewing gum blitz.
Dave Prentice, Operations Manager, at n-ergy works said: “We are very proud to be associated with this innovative scheme bringing our expertise in using a 100% effective, high-tech environmentally friendly solution to tackle the problem of chewing gum in Wales and across the UK, working with all partners involved.”
CGAG brings together a number of organisations including Defra, Keep Britain Tidy, Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Food and Drink Federation, the Local Government Association, Welsh Government, Scottish Executive Government, Zero Waste Scotland, The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management and the chewing gum industry. It has been running successful campaigns to change the behaviour of irresponsible gum disposal since 2006.
CGAG campaign co-ordinator Kristian Bentham said: “Over the past eight years we have been extremely encouraged by the results of the CGAG campaign and we are looking forward to working with this year’s participating authorities to help create cleaner, more attractive places to live and work. We are committed to building on the success of previous years and hope to see a significant reduction of chewing gum litter in the partner regions.”
Photo:
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Ali Thomas tries out the chewing gum removal equipment with the help of a member of the n-ergy works team. Pictured holding the poster are - left, Wayne Curtis, Neath Port Talbot Council, and Dave Prentice, Operations Manager, at n-ergy works.
* The 16 local authorities involved with this year’s campaign are:
· Swansea Business Improvement District
· Falkirk Delivers (Business Improvement District)
· Peterborough City Council
· Liverpool City Council
· Bournemouth Council
· Wyre Forest Council
· Nottingham City Council
· Northampton Borough Council
· Neath Port Talbot Council
· Rochford Council
· Corby Council
· Highlands Council
· Love Wimbledon (Business Improvement District)
· Cambridge City Council
· Hull City Council
· Milton Keynes Town Centre Management in partnership with Milton Keynes Council
About the Chewing Gum Action Group
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.
The chewing gum industry is working closely with Government and other partners to tackle the problem of chewing gum litter through the Chewing Gum Action Group. Industry has committed an annual sum of approximately £700,000 to the Chewing Gum Action Group. As a key member of the Action Group, the chewing gum industry also provides additional support on a rolling basis which is not calculated as part of this figure.
More information on the group, past campaigns and research can be found at www.chewinggumactiongroup.org.uk
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gave greater powers and flexibility to local authorities to enforce against local environmental offences. The Fixed Penalty Notice level for litter can now be locally set between the £50 and £80. Fine amounts vary between Wales, Scotland and England due to separate national legislations. In Scotland, fines of up to £50 can be issued for littering under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In Wales under Section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, fines are set at a local level between £75 and £150 with a default of £75. Those authorised to issue fixed penalty notices must meet training and competence requirements.
Websites -
http://www.chewinggumactiongroup.org.uk/
http://www.n-ergyworks.co.uk/
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