Grants available to local authorities in the UK to tackle chewing gum staining.

The Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean the gum off the pavements in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place. 

A waste collection or waste disposal council or authority located in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales are eligible to apply.

Councils can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to undertake chewing gum cleansing in streets, town centres, train/bus stations, parks and/or other public spaces. The money can be used for: 

• Purchase of equipment and/or cleaning materials 
• Redeployment of existing equipment to other areas 
• Repair or refurbishment of existing equipment 
• Cost of new or temporary staff members 
• Redeploying existing staff members 
• Training staff members in the use of new equipment 
• Equipment hire and/or subcontractors, if there is a business case for this. 
• Trials of innovative cleansing equipment or techniques 
• Trials of innovative new ways to identify areas in need of cleansing.

Applications are welcomed from councils who are new to the scheme and councils who received funding in the previous round.

Keep Britain Tidy will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 11am where councils can learn more about the fund and how to apply. Applicants should submit an expression of interest to receive information on how to attend.

How To Apply

Applicants should submit an online application form by the deadline of 24 March 2024 (5pm).

For more information, visit the Keep Britain Tidy website.