When chewing gum ends up on sidewalks, especially in a busy city center, it can make the area look dirtier and less inviting while adding to maintenance demands.
To address this, Newport City Council in Wales has secured £27,500 (over $36,000) for work to clear gum litter and limit future buildup.
Here's what to know
According to the South Wales Argus, Newport City Council received the grant through the Chewing Gum Task Force, which is run by Keep Britain Tidy. The money will fund cleanup work and prevention measures in key parts of the city center.
Planned work includes specialist gum removal and a paving sealant meant to stop gum from sticking as easily and to simplify later cleaning.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste, and recycling, said the issue has a major effect on public spaces: "Chewing gum litter may seem like a small issue, but it can have a big impact on how clean and welcoming our city centre feels."
More background
Chewing gum litter has long been a stubborn problem in towns and cities because once it hardens onto pavement, it becomes difficult to remove.
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It can also harm wildlife if ingested, get stuck in fur or feathers, and contribute to environmental microplastics.
Standard cleaning can be labor-intensive, and in heavily used pedestrian areas, gum marks can quickly build up, leaving behind the blackened spots many people have come to associate with worn-down sidewalks.
Newport's response is not just to remove what is already there, but also to treat the pavement in a way that should make future upkeep less difficult.
The grant also pays for equipment, staffing, and public awareness efforts on proper gum disposal.
Forsey framed the effort as both a cleanup project and a shared responsibility, saying, "We all have a part to play in keeping Newport clean, and I'm pleased that this project will help improve the appearance of some of our busiest city centre streets for residents, businesses, and visitors."
What's being done?
The first step is specialist chewing gum removal in selected city center locations.
The sealant is intended to reduce repeat cleaning, ease maintenance challenges, and help streets stay cleaner for longer.
As Forsey put it: "This funding will allow us to carry out specialist cleaning in key areas, protect paving so it is easier to maintain in future, and encourage people to dispose of chewing gum responsibly."
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