Luton council tackles chewing gum hotspots as part of £1.2m national cleanup scheme
Luton council is tackling the sticky problem of chewing gum as part of a £1.2million scheme run by Keep Britain Tidy.
It’s one of 50 council across the country to share the cash to help clean up and prevent discarded chewing gum at three of the town’s hotspots.
Council officers assessed 22 locations across the town and picked Wignore Lane shops parade, Bute Street by Hat Gardens and Riddy Lane shops parade to get the three-day treatment.
On day one, council officers speak to residents and use chalk spray to mark existing gum on the pavement, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Specialist equipment is brought in on day two to remove the gum, and on day three an eco-friendly, non-toxic solution is sprayed onto the pavement to stop gum sticking to it.
New signs and bin stickers are also being introduced to encourage people to bin their gum rather than drop it, while shops along each route have been offered window stickers to show their support.
Councillor Javeria Hussain, cabinet member for public realm and sustainable transport said: “Chewing gum is one of the most persistent and expensive types of litter to remove, and it’s something residents tell us really bothers them. This funding means we can clean up these hotspot areas properly and put prevention measures in place so the problem doesn’t just come back. It’s exactly the kind of practical action at the heart of our Getting It Done campaign – tackling issues that matter to residents and making a visible difference in our communities.”
The council says if gum levels stay low in the months following each clean-up it will apply for more Keep Britain Tidy funding next year to roll out the scheme across more locations in the town.
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