North Yorkshire Council is seeking funding for equipment to remove chewing gum from high street pavements.
The council is applying for £27,500 from Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) for the machinery.
The money is given to the charity by chewing gum manufacturers as part of the Chewing Gum Task Force scheme.
A council report states:
“The scheme, administered by independent charity Keep Britain Tidy, sees the chewing gum firms invest up to £10m over five years to achieve two objectives; cleaning up historic gum staining and changing behaviour so that more people bin their gum.
“Grants of up to £27,500 are available to councils in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales towards the purchase of cleaning equipment and/or street cleansing this year.”
The producers taking part in the project are Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle.
The streets of Northallerton, Scarborough and Selby will be targeted initially with the equipment used across all areas of North Yorkshire over the next 12 months.
The grants are supplemented by ‘gum litter prevention packages’ for each council, including ‘behaviour change signage’ and advice, which is designed and produced by social enterprise Behaviour Change.
The report adds:
“By combining targeted street cleansing with specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum, participating councils have seen reductions in gum littering of up to 80 per cent in the first two months, with a reduced rate of gum littering still being observed after six months."
Councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation, said:
“We have decided to apply for the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant from Keep Britain Tidy for the second year after a successful first-time application in 2024.
“We are hoping to purchase more equipment to support our street cleansing efforts across even more areas within the county.
“Chewing gum is the second-most littered item, after cigarette ends. It’s particularly tricky to remove, does not biodegrade and poses a particular risk to wildlife.
“We will continue taking every effort we can to keep North Yorkshire’s streets clean and attractive.”
Last year, 55 councils across the UK benefitted from the special grant fund, helping clean an area equivalent to the size of the Vatican City, with funding totalling £1.65m provided.
MP’s Small Business Award winners crowned as local businesses “fight on”
Christmas timetable revealed for Skipton trains
Spanish airport operator acquires Leeds Bradford Airport in £270m deal
Amended Christmas Bus and Train services in Skipton and Craven area
Skipton RFC scores £500 kit sponsorship with local opticians
Jack and the Beanstalk panto to be performed in Skipton
Number of primary school children being expelled a 'shocking indictment on society'
Steeton Court Clinches Victory in Annual Christmas Cake Competition
Airedale NHS microbiology staff announce December strike
Patrolling street marshals return to Skipton for festive period
Glusburn Community Arts Centre to host Santa's Grotto and film screening
Skipton MP Welcomes New Law to Protect Livestock and Farmers
Route Revealed for Rudolph's Tractor Run this Sunday
Skipton charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising
Skipton Brass Band Conductor shines on Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors
New school observatory opens to inspire next generation of astronomers
