The Gum Litter Taskforce Summer Roadshow, supported by Kilkenny County Council, arrived in Kilkenny City on Wednesday 10th of July on the Parade as part of its summer roadshow to tackle the scourge of gum litter pollution. The initiative aims to educate and engage the public on the importance of proper waste disposal and the impact of litter on our environment.
Now in its seventeenth year, the campaign is a collaboration between Food Drink Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the chewing gum industry, and local authorities. Its mission is to reduce gum litter and promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Cllr. Michael McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council stated “We are extremely proud of our City and County here in Kilkenny. We recently retained our position of 4th out of 40 cities and towns in the Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) survey which demonstrates our continued hard work and commitment to keeping our streets and public areas litter free. A clean environment which is chewing gum free and litter free, not only makes Kilkenny a more attractive place, but it also creates a sense of civic pride and responsibility”.
According to the national litter pollution monitoring report 2022, released by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Ireland still struggles with significant littering issues. The report highlights that while there has been a slight decline in littering over the past few years, there is still much work to be done.
The GLT 2023 campaign had a positive impact on both attitudes and behaviour regarding gum disposal, with a 5% increase in those reporting ‘always’ or ‘usually’ putting their chewed gum in the bin, bringing the figure to a record high of 92%.
The latest results of the National Litter Pollution Monitoring report (2022) also reflect this behavioural change, showing a continuous decline of percentage of gum as a proportion of litter at 8.6%.
Welcoming the Roadshow to Kilkenny, Councillor Andrew McGuinness, Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District said: “Kilkenny is a popular and attractive destination for tourists all over the world with over 1 million people visiting each year. It has a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty to offer. As Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, and as a resident myself, I want to stress the importance of keeping our streets and public spaces clean and free of litter. Gum litter is a particular problem that not only harms our environment, but it also badly impacts the appearance of our beautiful City. That is why I fully support efforts to reduce gum litter and promote proper disposal of it. We all have a part to play and in working together, we can make sure that we create a cleaner, healthier and attractive destination not only to visit, but to live and work.”
The summer roadshow features interactive displays, educational materials, and giveaways to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal.
“We are thrilled to bring this important initiative to Kilkenny,” said Mags Whelan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kilkenny County Council. “The Gum Litter Taskforce is a critical step towards addressing the ever-present problem of Gum litter pollution in our community. We need everyone’s help to make a difference and keep our streets clean and tidy. Thankfully here in Kilkenny City and County, we have very active Tidy Towns Groups and communities who maintain incredibly high standards in cleanliness and whose dedication is crucial in helping to keep our public spaces litter free.”
Gum Litter Taskforce Executive, Avril Donlon of Food Drink Ireland said: “We are delighted to launch the 2024 Gum Litter Taskforce campaign, with the support of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. Last year we delivered significant results, with a record number of schools participating in the Bin It! Education programme, and we really look forward to what the 2024 campaign has in store.
