The 2014 Gum Litter Taskforce environmental awareness campaign has been launched in Oranmore.
The campaign’s aim is to reduce littered gum by raising awareness that dropping gum on the ground is littering and is subject to a €150 fine. The GLT encourages the public to dispose of used gum responsibly.
In previous years the campaign has been a huge success with a 33 per cent reduction from 2012 to 2013. The number of people who recognise that dropping chewing gum is litter is now at an all-time high at 93 per cent. In 2013, over half of those surveyed had seen or heard the campaign, and TV advertising alone led to 25 per cent of people disposing of gum responsibly.
GLT Chairman Paul Kelly concluded: “This campaign set out to change consumer behaviour and the results speak for themselves. There has been demonstrable proof that educating people about the responsible disposal of gum has a profound impact on attitudes and behaviour. We are committed to continuing to educate consumers to ensure that there is a culture which makes littering unacceptable.”
