Mayor Emma Murphy has officially launched the Gum Litter Taskforce’s gum litter education campaign for south Dublin, urging all people to ‘Bin it’. Speaking at the launch, the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Emma Murphy said ” While we have seen very positive results to date, we want to continue encouraging a positive behaviour change amongst the small minority who are still disposing of gum incorrectly.”
The ‘Bin It!’ education programme will travel across the country and deliver 60 performances a year to primary schools nationwide, with the ambition to visit 180 schools by 2025. The ‘Bin It!’ school roadshow encourages students to responsibly dispose of litter, and particularly gum litter, through actor-led workshops. The latest cycle of the campaign will see the programme shift its focus from secondary school students to students in fifth and sixth class, and a return to in-person workshops, and kicks off in September.
The programme will also see the GLT continue to work with South Dublin County Council to promote greater gum litter awareness and education programmes in their areas, through the GLT annual roadshow. To date the campaign has engaged with over 30 local authorities across the country, hosting awareness initiatives and localised launch events and providing materials to promote community-led action on gum litter. The roadshow will start in Dublin, before travelling nationwide between the months of June, July and August to promote responsible gum disposal with the help of local authorities.
Speaking ahead of the launch Minister Ossian Smyth, said “I’m delighted to announce the continued partnership of the Government and the Gum Litter Taskforce on the National Gum Litter Awareness Campaign, which has been the driving force in reducing gum litter in Ireland since it was first launched in 2007. What’s particularly pleasing to see is that the campaign continues to resonate with the people of Ireland, with each year seeing further positive changes in people’s attitudes and behaviour towards gum litter. “The success of the Gum Litter Taskforce demonstrates the forward-thinking, joined up approach of industry, local communities and local government that is necessary to further drive the objective of changing the public’s gum disposal behaviour. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve further positive changes in litter reduction in our cities, towns and villages.”
Pictured are Cllr. Emma Murphy Mayor of South Dublin with children from Rainbows After-school at the launch of the Gum Litter Campaign in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan.
