Gum litter 'destroying' Kildare streets
Photo is for illustrative purposes only
Gum litter is causing the streets of Kildare to be “absolutely destroyed”.
This is according to cllr Chris Pender, who discussed the issue with fellow councillors at the most recent meeting of Kildare County Council.
Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer brought forward a motion at the meeting proposing that the local authority initiates a “Wrap it and Bin it” social media public awareness and educational campaign against the improper disposal of chewing gum.
Director of services for climate, community, environment and water Marian Higgins issued the council’s response, which noted that the national gum litter taskforce already has a nationwide campaign in place which is focused on reducing gum litter by encouraging responsible disposal and changing public behaviour. The campaign is implemented through a combination of media advertising, school education programmes and collaboration with local authorities.
The report stated that that 92 per cent of people now report proper gum disposal and 85 per cent of 16-34 year olds view littering as social unacceptable. The report also stated that gum litter has fallen by almost 70 per cent since 2007 and now makes up 8.6 per cent of all litter, down from 26.4 per cent in 2006.
According to research from the government that was conducted in 2024 and published in last year, litter pollution had gotten worse between 2023 and 2024, with chewing gum and cigarette butts being the main issues.
It was announced by the government last month that on-the-spot fines for littering and dog fouling will increase from €150 to €250, taking effect from September.
The report noted that men remain more likely than women to gum litter.
The gum litter taskforce will bring its’ roadshow to Kildare again this year after partnering together in 2025.
As part of the roadshow, the local authority will promote the gum awareness campaign through its’ social media. It will be supported by a national media campaign and will be complemented by a taskforce-sponsored Tidy Towns award celebrating communities tackling gum litter.
Councillor for the Kildare-Newbridge local electoral area O’Dwyer said that a local student reached out to her regarding gum litter as part of their CSPE class. On behalf of the student, cllr O’Dwyer requested that the roadshow comes to Newbridge in the summer.
Cllr O’Dwyer’s Fine Gael colleague in the Newbridge electoral area Peggy O’Dwyer supported the motion, as did cllr Pender of the Social Democrats and Fianna Fáil councillor for Celbridge David Trost.
Cllr Pender said that “if it (gum littering) is allowed to happen once or twice, individuals will continue to do it” and that the “streets are absolutely destroyed” with gum litter.
