Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

A campaign has been launched to clean up some of Carmarthenshire's sticky streets and pavements. Not only is chewing gum litter an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up. Carmarthenshire council, supported by Tidy Towns, is taking part in a campaign to tackle chewing gum litter and to encourage people to put their gum in the bin or get fined £75. As part of the campaign, officers have cleaned sections of problem areas in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford which will now be monitored throughout November. The areas which have been cleaned will be monitored to see if there’s any improvement. Officers will also be issuing shop keepers with gum wraps to hand out and they will also be handed to people on the streets they see chewing in an effort to encourage people to be aware not to throw their gum on the floor and to place it in the wrap until it can be placed in a bin. Executive board member for environmental and public ...

Neath Port Talbot Council has launched a new campaign with the aim of reducing littered gum in the local area. 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 campai...

The first litter fine for chewing gum has been issued in Carmarthenshire. Council environmental enforcement officers have issued a fixed penalty notice for £75 to a woman at McDonald’s in Cross Hands. Officers were on duty in the area and saw the woman take the chewing gum from her mouth and throw it onto the ground. They continued to observe her to give her a chance to pick it up; however, she then lit up a cigarette and after finishing it, threw that onto the ground as well. Failure to pay the fine could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is the first fine that we have issued specifically for chewing gum litter. Our enforcement officers have to carry out patrols across the county and it can be very difficult to catch people in the act. “Obviously we don’t want to fine people; we would prefer they don’t drop litter in the first place, but if they fail...

The message to clean up our streets has stuck, with an 85% reduction in chewing gum litter in Carmarthenshire. It follows a council campaign in March and April which encouraged people to put their gum in the bin. Not only is chewing gum litter an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up. It costs the council approximately £30,000 a year to remove chewing gum from county streets. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is the third year running we have taken part in this campaign and I am delighted with the results which show a significant reduction in chewing gum litter. “This means the message is getting across, I just hope people continue to take notice and put their litter in the bin, whether it’s chewing gum or another type of litter. The council is determined to create a cleaner environment for both residents and visitors to Carmarthenshire to enjoy and those caught spoiling...

A major campaign has been launched in Carmarthenshire to tackle chewing gum litter on our streets and pavements. The 2012 campaign sees selected local authorities taking part in a new advertising campaign calling on everyone to play their part in creating a cleaner, better Britain ahead of the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee by putting their gum in a bin. Carmarthenshire County Council is one of 15 local authorities nationwide to have pledged their support for the 2012 campaign to help make Britain’s streets free of littered gum. The campaign is being funded by the Chewing Gum Action Group, a joint initiative between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the chewing gum industry and Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. The aim of CGAG is to achieve a long-term solution to the irresponsible disposal of chewing gum. The group’s sixth national campaign will run in March and April and see local authorities working with communities to encourage people t...

A campaign has been launched to clean up our sticky streets. Not only is chewing gum litter an eyesore but it can stick to people’s clothes and shoes and it is difficult and costly to clean up. Carmarthenshire County Council, supported by Tidy Towns, has been chosen by the Chewing Gum Action Group to take part in a nationwide campaign to encourage people to put their gum in the bin or get fined £75. The ‘Bin your Gum’ campaign is being launched at Bryngwyn Comprehensive School in Llanelli on Wednesday, September 14 by Wales Environment Minister John Griffiths. It is taking place throughout September and Carmarthenshire’s gum-busting team will be out and about hoping the message sticks. They will be at Morrisons in Carmarthen on Tuesday, September 13; the St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli on Wednesday, September 14 and the Co-op in Ammanford on Thursday, September 15, between 11am and 2pm. The council’s Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “We are delig...