Louth County Council Welcomes the Gum Litter Taskforce Roadshow to Ardee
Louth County Council welcomed the Gum Litter Taskforce Summer Roadshow to Ardee on Friday, 7 August. The Gum Litter Taskforce encourages people to dispose of chewing gum properly. Its campaign promotes cleaner communities and raises awareness of Ireland's move towards a circular economy.
The visit comes as new research from the Gum Litter Taskforce shows that littering is now seen as socially unacceptable by more than 4 in 5 (82%) young people. The research also found that more than 9 in 10 people (92%) now dispose of their chewing gum correctly. This is the highest level recorded since the campaign began in 2007.
Attending the roadshow in Ardee, Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council said:
“Keeping Louth’s streets, parks and public spaces clean requires a collective effort. Campaigns such as the Gum Litter Taskforce help raise awareness of the impact of littering while reducing the need for costly gum removal works. By encouraging people to bin their gum when they're done, we can all play a role in creating cleaner, more attractive communities and supporting a more sustainable approach to waste management.”
Avril Donlon, Gum Litter Campaign Manager at Food Drink Ireland, added:
"This latest research shows real progress, with more young people recognising that littering is unacceptable and taking action. Our focus remains on making responsible gum disposal the norm and continuing to build on the positive behaviours we are seeing across communities nationwide."
Anne Sheeran, Corporate Affairs Manager at Mars Wrigley, said:
“We at Mars Wrigley are proud to support the Gum Litter Taskforce as part of our broader commitment to responsible business and sustainability. This campaign is delivering measurable change and helping to shape positive habits, with more people choosing to bin their gum and encouraging others to do the same. Through continued collaboration, we can build on this progress and further reduce gum litter in our communities.”
While attitudes and behaviours towards littering continue to improve, almost 1 in 4 young people still do not see chewing gum as litter. This highlights the need for ongoing education and awareness.
Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence and may result in a fine or prosecution. The on-the-spot fine for littering will increase from €150 to €250 from 1 September 2026. Louth County Council’s litter wardens and An Garda Síochána can issue on-the-spot fines.
To learn more about responsible gum disposal and access educational resources, visit www.gumlittertaskforce.ie. For more information on local environmental initiatives, visit www.louthcoco.ie.
