Bins built especially for the disposal of both chewing gum and cigarette ends have been installed across Cardiff city centre.
Cardiff Council is trialling the provision of designated “Smartbins”, with the aim of tackling the negative impact of chewing gum and cigarette end waste in the area. The bins have been specifically designed for the safe and convenient disposal of these items.
Ongoing developments in the city centre continue to drive Cardiff’s success as one of the UK’s top retail and visitor destinations. Despite this, certain areas continue to suffer from the ongoing problem of chewing gum and cigarette butt litter.
Cardiff Council is continuing its investment in improving the city centre and is now tackling specific problem areas. Smartbins have been installed in Lower St Mary Street, Churchill Way and Westgate Street on a trial basis.
It is hoped the new bins will encourage people to dispose of this litter considerately. A previous survey in London has shown it takes 17 weeks to remove chewing gum from Oxford Street and only 10 days for the area to be covered in gum again.
The use of these bins during the trial period will be surveyed and monitored and the Council will then consider whether the Smartbins should become a permanent addition to help maintain Cardiff’s reputation as a clean, vibrant city centre.
The Council is also investigating the possibility of providing chewing-gum free areas in the city centre to further preserve recent improvements, maintain a high quality environment and protect new investment.
Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Margaret Jones, said: “Cardiff city centre is undergoing some really tremendous changes that are already improving our standing across Europe. While we continue to proactively tackle litter issues right across the city, the inconsiderate disposal of chewing gum and cigarettes is something that can often have a very negative impact on the improvements being made.
“We are not alone in facing such problems and litter continues to be an issue in towns and cities across the UK. With the installation of Smartbins for a trial period however, we hope to encourage people to be more considerate and help maintain a clean and pedestrian-friendly environment.”
