Chewing gum makers to pay for street cleaning

CHEWING GUM manufacturers will face charges for the cost of removing gum from streets for the first time, following the poor performance of industry-funded anti-gum-litter campaigns, Minister for the Environment John Gormley has signalled.

The Minister has not ruled out the implementation of a levy on packets of gum, but said he was prepared to discuss the matter with industry. Whether or not a levy was introduced, he wanted the industry to pay for removal of gum from the streets.

Mr Gormley said he was concerned at levels of gum litter and had not renewed the agreement with the industry in relation to an anti-gum litter information and education campaign.

Asked if he would favour the prohibition of all gum which was not bio-degradable, he said research into a viable biodegradable gum was still on-going.

“My preference is for money to come from the industry for the clean-up of gum.”

Mr Gormley was speaking at an event to publicise the Irish Businesses Against Litter league of 52 cities and towns, which will be published next June.

The industry-funded anti-gum-litter campaign was a three-year agreement concluded with former minister for the environment Dick Roche in 2006. His predecessor Martin Cullen had favoured the levy, but Mr Roche dropped the plan following lobbying from manufacturers and the US ambassador at the time James Kenny.

The group’s chairman Dr Tom Cavanagh said chewing gum litter increased significantly in 2009 and urged Mr Gormley not to renew Mr Roche’s agreement.

“Now is the time for the Government to solve the problem. It must resist the temptation of another unbecoming partnership with the gum industry. Taxation is one option that could bring about a quick change.”

Mr Gormley also announced that he is providing €1.5 million to local authorities over the next three years to support the cleaning of key scenic, rural and visitor areas during the peak tourist season from May to September. In addition he is providing councils with €1 million in litter awareness grants for 2010.