As organisers of the Clean Britain Awards the BCC is encouraged by the news that the Chewing Gum Action Group is inviting local authorities to apply for paid-for advertising to raise awareness of gum litter. A similar campaign in 2006 saw reductions in gum litter of up to 72%.
The Chewing Gum Action Group helped to fund marketing campaigns in England from May to October 2006, printing the message: `Thanks for binning your gum when you`re done.`
This year`s campaign will take place in August or September. The authorities taking part last time were: Bristol, Chesterfield, Colchester, Hertsmere, Horsham, Kensington and Chelsea, Lancaster, Leeds, Lewisham, Medway, Plymouth, Solihull, Stoke, Trafford and Wigan.
The Chewing Gum Action Group is chaired by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and bodies including BCC member ENCAMS (behind Keep Britain Tidy campaign), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) as well as the Local Government Association (LGA).
For further information see: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/gum/actiongroup/index.htm
