Gum Litter Taskforce Roadshow takes to Leitrim to tackle gum disposal

The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) took to the streets of Ballinamore on August 10 as a part of its Summer Roadshow.

The interactive Roadshow works with local authorities and communities across the country to carry out fun and engaging education and awareness initiatives that demonstrate the proper means of gum disposal and raise awareness of the environmental and fiscal impacts of gum litter. Now in its sixteenth year, the campaign is a collaboration between Food Drink Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the chewing gum industry, and local authorities.

Research published recently to coincide with the National Launch of the 2023 GLT Campaign revealed that 87% of people now report proper gum disposal, versus 49% when the campaign began in 2007 – an increase of 77.5%, demonstrating the positive impact the campaign has had on attitudes towards gum litter. Peer pressure was found to be the key contributor to this shift in attitudes, followed by knowledge of the €150 fine.

Leitrim County Council Environmental Awareness Officer, Patricia Holohan (second from right) with Kay Maguire and Patricia Cassells of Ballinamore Tidy Towns and a Gum Litter Taskforce representative.

However, work remains to be done to further reduce this figure, as still only 46% of people can claim to have never dropped gum on the ground, demonstrating the continued importance of the awareness and behavioural change campaign.

Welcoming the Roadshow to Ballinamore,Cllr Justin Warnock, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council said: "We are delighted to welcome back the Gum Litter Taskforce to Leitrim. The Roadshow is a fantastic way to show people about the sustainable impacts of responsibly disposing of gum litter and changing their disposal behaviours.

"This GLT campaign has seen a visible reduction of gum litter on our streets since it first began, and the Roadshow is an important reminder to the whole community that we must continue to reduce our litter and protect our local environment."