“We’ve never tackled the chewing gum problem specifically before. It’s such a blight and so arduous to remove that I must admit, I was a bit cynical about what we could achieve with the Gummy Bins.
However, the results have far outstripped our expectations. Being able to recycle the gum changes people’s attitudes and they consciously use the bins. If we get today’s adults and kids on board, they’ll teach the next generation and so on. People are used to recycling paper, glass and so on, and there’s no reason why Gummy Bins shouldn’t do exactly the same for chewing gum.
Imagine that: we could be close to wiping out the chewing gum problem! That would be phenomenal!”
Dave Wesson, Team Manager, Street Cleaning, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
“Earls Court & Olympia’s goal is for our venues to be as environmentally friendly as we can possibly make them. In our business, exhibitions are built up and pulled down very quickly, which used to leave huge amounts of so called rubbish. We now recycle as much of that debris as possible and we have won two environmental awards this year. In fact, we are the first winner of the “Association of Exhibition Organiser’s Sustainability Award” which is fantastic recognition for everyone’s efforts!
“Along with the rest of the country, our venues have a chewing gum problem and the worst thing is that people just don’t think of it as litter. It gets trodden into our carpets, stuck on doors and furniture: it gets everywhere. But we didn’t just want a solution to the chewing gum problem; we wanted to recycle it as well. Gum doesn’t disintegrate so if you don’t make a conscious effort to recycle it, the problem never goes away.
We’re really hoping that our Gummy Bins will make a difference, and the more venues that install them, the more people will become aware that they can recycle their gum.”
Emma Wellman, Customer Services Manager, Earls Court & Olympia
"I am sure that the community will be very pleased with this added means of disposal. Chewing gum has been a very trying problem in the streets of St Andrews over many years."
Councillor William Sangster, Fife Council
“Gummy Bins are a great way to encourage people to dispose of their gum responsibly, and one of the reasons why Solihull's campaign had such a positive impact. We are delighted to hear that our campaign was the most successful of all those run last summer”.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Councillor David Bell
Referring to the Council topping the 2006 DEFRA Chewing Gum Action Group trial. Solihull was the only Gummy Bins installation in the trial. It reported a 72% reduction in chewing gum litter, almost twice the average result.
“We hope to raise awareness of how damaging litter can be and to change people’s misconceptions that chewing gum is not litter. It’s time to make revolting, dried up chewing gum on our streets a thing of the past and I’m delighted to be working with Gummy Bins on this innovative campaign to get people to dispose of their gum properly.”
John Batty, Director of Health & Housing, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.
“Each year we spend a considerable sum removing chewing gum from paving slabs and other surfaces. With the university investing millions of pounds in student facilities, we want students and staff to take pride in the campus and help us keep it clean. The money saved on cleaning can be ploughed back into enhancing the students’ experience.
“I think Gummy Bins is a really innovative way of dealing with the chewing gum issue. It gives people a feeling that they’re contributing to the environment as well as disposing of their gum responsibly. I wish Gummy Bin every success. We’re backing their campaign all the way.”
John McMahon, Cleaning Services Manager, University of Plymouth.