Beware – chewing gum!

Towns and cities across the UK are sticking together to try get more done to clean chewing gum off the streets. Councils in 20 places want companies that make chewing gum to contribute towards cleaning up the mess that it leaves on the streets. It costs local councils around £150 million every year to scrape gum off the streets.

The group says that every single piece of gum costs 10p to clean up, but only costs 3p to make. They add that if gum companies handed over 1p from every pack sold it would add £9 million to the clean – up fund.

A spokesman for Westminster Council in London said they spend £100,000 every year on cleaning up discarded chewing gum. Alan Bradley added ”It is time the manufacturer and the people who throw this mess on to the ground take responsibility for their actions – it is time to make the polluters pay”. On Monday the Government – backed Chewing gum Action Group is holding a conference on the issue too.

People who drop gum in the street could face fines of up to £75 from Monday. The aim of scheme, being tried out in Preston, is to get gum chewers to throw their gum in the bin when they’ve finished with it, not on the floor. Specially trained wardens will issue law breakers who refuse to bin their chewing gum with fine starting at £50.

The government – backed campaign will also run adverts to convince people that getting the sticky stuff off the street is a real problem. Anti – gum dropping adverts will appear on posters in shopping areas and in telephone kiosks. Disposal pouches for people to use to get rid of their gum will also be handed out in pedestrian areas.

Mark the statements true (T) or false (F)

1. Towns and cities across the US are sticking together to clean chewing gum off the streets.

2. Councils in 20 places do not want companies that make chewing gum to contribute towards cleaning up.

3. It costs local councils around $ 150 million every year to scrape gum off the streets.

4. The group says that every piece of gum costs 10p to clean up.

5. On Monday the Government-backed Chewing Gum Action Group is holding a conference on the issue.

6. The lowest fine for messing with chewing gum will be $50.

7. The aim of the scheme is to get gum chewers to throw their gum in the bin.

8. Specially trained wardens will give the law breaker golden medals.

9. The government-backed campaign will also run advertisements.

10. Anti-gum adverts will appear on posters in shopping areas and in telephone kiosks.

Circle the correct item

1. The problem the UK towns and cities face is…

a) the low cost of chewing gum.

b) increasing damage by chewing gum.

c) low fines the polluters pay.

d) damage by advertising chewing gums.

2. The government and local authorities are looking for the ways to…

a) organise advertising campaign against gum producing companies.

b) limit the growing production of chewing gum by the leading manufacturers.

c) make more money necessary to clean up streets of British towns and cities.

d) train special wardens to issue law breakers with fines.

3. The group of experts has come to the conclusion that…

a) to produce a piece of gum is cheaper than to clean up the mess it leaves

b) if every pack of gum were sold cheaper local authorities would add £9 million to the clean up fund.

c) gum producing companies should contribute £100,000 every year to do away with the problem.

d) local councils should spend about £150 million every year to scrape gum off the streets.

4.The lowest fine for messing with chewing gum will be…

a) £75.

b) £50.

c) £150.

d) £9.

5. Discarded chewing gum…

a) never makes any problems to people.

b) should be given to specially trained wardens.

c) cannot be get rid of because it sticks to bins.

d) should never be on the ground.

6. Government – backed advertising campaign will…

a) convince people to get rid of chewing gum.

b) appear on posters in shopping areas.

c) help people realise their responsibilities.

d) aim at handing out special ads in pedestrian areas.

Text № 25