Response 3788923

Response to request for information

Reference

3788923

Response date

28 August 2025

Request

I would like to request the following information regarding chewing gum removal for the financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24 inclusive:

1. Chewing Gum Removal Costs

The total cost incurred by the council for chewing gum removal in each of these years.

2. Area Covered

If recorded, the approximate area cleaned (in square metres) for each year.

3. External Funding

Has the council received any external funding (e.g. from DEFRA or Keep Britain Tidy) specifically for chewing gum removal during this period?

If yes, please provide the amount received and year awarded.

If Cost Data Is Not Held Separately:

If your authority does not hold chewing gum removal costs separately from general street cleansing budgets, please confirm:

1. Whether chewing gum removal is carried out at all, and
2. If so, whether it is delivered as part of broader cleansing operations.

Response

Streetwise Environmental LTD moved back in house under Rushcliffe Borough Council in September 2022. We have no data prior to this. 

In terms of overall chewing gum removal, it is part our day to day cleansing regime and is not split out any further. However, we have been successful in gaining external funding for the last 3 years, in 2023, 2024 and 2025 through Keep Britain Tidy and the Chewing Gum Taskforce. Details outlined below.

• 2023 received £25,000 grant (area covered 4212m2)
• 2024 received £27,500 grant (4232m2)
• 2025 received £27,500 grant (8613m2)

These grants have allowed us to purchase gum removal equipment to help our cleansing teams outside of the grants