Rochdale town centre is set to undergo a major chewing gum removal programme funded by a £27,461 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force. The initiative will use specialist equipment to vaporise gum stuck to pavements, targeting an area equivalent to two football pitches over a 10-week period.
Grant Funding and Scope
Rochdale is one of 50 councils across the UK to successfully apply for this funding, which is provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and administered by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The entire grant will be spent on a 10-week programme of gum removal in the town centre, including staff costs and the purchase of new specialist cleaning equipment.
The council chose Rochdale town centre over other areas in the borough due to it having the most severe gum staining issues, according to the local authority. Over the project, street cleaning teams plan to clean approximately 15,700 square metres of pavements and pedestrian areas.
How the Equipment Works
The new equipment uses a vaporisation method to remove chewing gum effectively. It heats the gum until it vaporises, allowing it to be easily brushed away. After the initial cleaning project, the equipment can be used by street cleaning teams across the borough where feasible.
Council and Charity Statements
Coun Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader of Rochdale Council and cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “This is fantastic news. Chewing gum is difficult and costly to remove and has a lasting impact on our streets and environment. This grant will fund specialist equipment to remove gum more effectively by vaporising it so it can be easily brushed away. It will be trialled in Rochdale town centre as part of our work to keep pavements clean and create a positive impression for residents and visitors. While this equipment will help, prevention remains the best solution. Please dispose of gum responsibly, as anyone caught dropping it will face a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).”
Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “While chewing gum litter remains a stubborn eyesore in our public spaces, the good news is that this scheme is already driving major improvements. As an environmental charity, we know that every piece of gum dropped irresponsibly damages the environment, taking years to break down naturally, while also leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for costly clean-up operations. Everyone in Rochdale can play a part in creating cleaner, greener streets for all by binning their gum properly.”
National Context
According to Keep Britain Tidy, around 77 per cent of England’s streets and 99 per cent of retail sites are stained with chewing gum. The Chewing Gum Task Force grant scheme was established by Defra to help councils clean up gum and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent littering.
