England's £7m war on chewing gum litter kicks off with industry backing

A new scheme to tackle chewing gum litter across England has been launched. The initiative, led by Keep Britain Tidy, will target the 87% of streets reportedly stained by discarded gum. Major companies and government funding will back the clean-up effort as part of a broader push to revitalise town centres.

The project brings together leading firms like Mars Wrigley, GlaxoSmithKline, and Perfetti Van Melle. Their involvement follows years of concern over the £7 million annual cost of removing gum waste from pavements. While exact figures on the worst-affected areas remain unclear, Keep Britain Tidy's surveys highlight gum as a persistent issue in urban spaces.

The funding will focus on two key areas: removing old gum stains and discouraging future littering. Environment minister Rebecca Pow stressed the importance of changing behaviour to stop people dropping gum in the first place. Alison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, welcomed the collaboration with Defra and the chewing gum industry. The taskforce aligns with the government's long-term plan to make high streets cleaner and more appealing. Officials hope the scheme will complement wider regeneration efforts, though no specific data on gum litter in individual towns has been released.

The clean-up will roll out in stages, with investment aimed at both clearing existing stains and promoting responsible disposal. Local authorities and businesses will work alongside the taskforce to reduce gum litter over time. The success of the scheme may influence future policies on urban cleanliness and waste management.