Gum taskforce gets stuck in

The 2013 Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) campaign swung into action in Ennis town centre at the weekend when members of the local community joined environmental staff from Ennis Town Council to undertake a clean-up of the O’Connell Square area.
The clean-up is one of a number of initiatives taking place during the year in Ennis, which is seeking to retain the Gum Litter Task Force award it won in the 2012 National Tidy Towns competition.

Volunteers were aided during the weekend clean-up by a gum cleaning device designed by local businessman Paudie Sheahan and built by Andrew Kirby from Bunratty. The Gumgo Stick is a stainless steel street tool designed to lift gum litter from flat, paved surfaces.

The lightweight steel devices will be used by Tidy Towns volunteers over the coming weeks, while Ennis Town Council is also making the devices available to business owners wishing to conduct gum litter clean-ups outside their premises.

According to Environmental warden Gerry Murphy, “The incorrect disposal of chewing gum is a significant and costly issue for many local authorities. Promoting a behaviour change among gum droppers through local campaigns helps create a cleaner, more attractive local area that residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy.”

Commenting on the weekend clean-up, Mr Murphy said, “The GLT campaign, which got underway in early May, moved to O’Connell Square at the weekend when council staff and Tidy Towns volunteers handed out gum wraps and advised members of the public about the Gum Litter Taskforce and the need for everyone to work together and do the right thing when they are finished chewing and put the gum in the bin.

“Staff from the council’s environment section will also be visiting schools in Ennis during September and October to help get the message out regarding the correct way to dispose of gum.”

The 2012 GLT campaign achieved a 28% reduction in gum litter nationally. The GLT comprises representatives of the chewing gum industry; Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; Food and Drink Industry Ireland; local authority representatives and civic society. The group reached a new three-year agreement with the Irish government in 2011, which will see it run annual public education campaigns up until the end of 2014.

For more on the 2013 Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) campaign, contact the Environment section of Ennis Town Council, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis on 065 6828040.