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Gum Litter Taskforce
The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) was established following a negotiated agreement between the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the chewing gum industry. The GLT is charged with developing and implementing an action programme to tackle gum litter in the most sustainable way – by changing behaviour, the root cause of the issue.
The main feature of the GLT awareness campaign is a series of posters showing the iconic 'bin man' image together with a clear warning about the possibility of a €150 litter fine. These posters appear nationally through a variety of media formats such as six-sheet posters, commuter cards, national and regional radio advertising. Click here for sample poster.
The GLT Campaign has been ongoing since June 2006 when a three month pilot campaign was implemented in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Bray town centre. The first phase of the GLT national campaign was launched in June 2007 in Galway City and 15 local authorities took part. The second phase of the campaign was implemented in 2008 with the campaign extended to 21 local authorities. The third phase of the GLT campaign was implemented in June 2009 and the campaign has been extended to include 30 local authorities. Each national campaign runs from June until October annually.
The local authorities that participate in the campaign hold a campaign launch at the start of the campaign in order to raise awareness of the fact that the local authority is taking part and also in order to raise awareness of the GLT campaign key messages which are that:
1. Chewing gum is litter.
2. There is a €150 for littering.
3. The GLT campaign encourages the public to dispose of their gum responsibly in a bin.
Local authorities also carry out a mid-campaign boost to remind people of these messages during the campaign. Campaign launches and boosts involve inviting local dignitaries, celebrities, local authority representatives, local press and other nominated personnel to attend the launch and raise awareness of the campaign in their area. Local authorities also carry out their own gum litter awareness initiatives such as visiting schools to promote the campaign and disposal message, local authorities hold litter awareness competitions and liaise with TidyTowns committees and residents groups.
Local authorities receive merchandise from the GLT in order to promote their campaign. This includes pens, baseball caps, t-shirts and umbrellas.