Chewing gum: Tackling a sticky issue in Ards and North Down

BBC News

14-07-2025

Chewing gum splattered streets in Ards and North Down are set for a fresh start as the council tackles one of its stickiest litter problems head-on.It has received £27,500 in funding for a high-powered street washing machine, thanks to a grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force. The area's mayor, councillor Gillian McCollum, is delighted that the council is one of 52 across the UK to benefit from the clean-up grants.McCollum said tourism and visitor footfall was an important part of the area's business economy and that "we want to do everything we can to make the area as attractive as possible".
'Gum comes right off'
On the streets of Bangor, County Down, street cleaner and driver team leader Paul Agnew, said he believes the machine will be a real boost to their service."It is much more effective - the sweepers can't lift the gum," he explained. "This new machine heats up to 110C."There are specific chewing gum attachments for it, but we don't even need to use them because there is such high pressure - the gum just comes right off."
'I think it's disgusting'
On Bangor's Main Street, residents had mixed feelings about the gum problem, but welcomed the council's action.Ernie Uprichard, 78, believes we should go even further to tackle the issue."It's disgusting, it really is such a bad look," he said."We should do what they do elsewhere which is ban it."
Cecilia Adu, 75, believes gum littering in Bangor is not as bad as other cities in the UK."It isn't as rampant here. I lived in England before and it was worse."However, I still think the money is still worth spending," she added.Another Bangor resident, Rain Barago-Maurer, 24, said it was a problem she was very aware of, particularly near the marina. "It is definitely something I have noticed in Bangor and it would be a great investment."I don't chew gum myself because I don't like to have litter and then have nowhere to dispose of it," Rain told BBC News NI. "There also needs to be some small bins scattered around the area designated for chewing gum."
'Removing gum a huge problem'
According to Keep Britain Tidy, councils across the UK spend, on average, around £7m annually trying to remove it.The Chewing Gum Task Force (CGTF) is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars, Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10m spread over five years.Mayor McCollum said gum could become a "huge problem" if it was not disposed of correctly due to the length of time it takes to decompose."We also know from our street cleaners who work for the borough that removing the gum is a huge problem," she added.
'Reinforcing good behaviour'
A report from social enterprise Behaviour Change revealed that in areas treated under the CGTF scheme, gum littering was reduced by as much as 80% within two months, benefits that were still evident six months later thanks to targeted cleaning and prominent signage.Although there are currently no plans for special signage in Ards and North Down, McCollum believes cleaner streets alone will act as a deterrent. "It has the knock on effect of discouraging people to dispose of gum more responsibly," she said."It is really just reinforcing good behaviour. A clean tidy appearance encourages people to take pride in their area and act responsibly."
Established by Whitehall's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the CGTF is run by charity Keep Britain Tidy.The grant will allow Ards and North Down council to roll out the gum removing machine across Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Holywood and Donaghadee.