Cardiff trials chewing gum recycling receptacles
Monday, August 19, 2013 - 13:34:15
Chewing gum is still a major problem in many areas of the UK as a result of the fact that it is improperly disposed of by hundreds of thousands of people and ends up smeared across pavements or stuck on hair and clothing.
Now a scheme being trialled in Cardiff will attempt to recycle unwanted gum and turn it back into something useful, while also helping to keep the city clean, according to Resource.
One hundred GumDrop receptacles are being rolled out in the city centre, with the initiative being funded by the local council, campaign group, Keep Wales Tidy and gum manufacturer, Wrigley.
A six month duration has been scheduled for this trial, after which its effectiveness will be assessed and many more recycling bins like this could appear.
Each of the GumDrop bins is coloured in a bright pink hue to make it highly visible and eye-catching. It is thought that no other scheme before this one has attempted to recycle chewing gum waste rather than sending it to land fill.
As little as ten per cent of the chewing gum consumed by UK residents ends up in a waste bin, with the rest simply thrown on the floor, stuck under desks or flung into the undergrowth.
GumDrop aims to recycle the gum that is collected via its bins and this can then be used to make products such as mobile phone cases.
It is good to see Cardiff taking action against gum and hopefully, this scheme will raise wider awareness about the issue, while at the same time encouraging other cities and communities across the country to consider similar action.
In early 2014 the impact of the bins should be apparent and the recycling rewards can be reaped on a wider scale.
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