Gum tax set to tackle street clean-up

AN environmental tax is to be introduced on chewing gum, ATM receipts and polystyrene containers in a further roll-out of the “polluter pays” principle.

Chewing gum, which can only be cleaned off streets using “gumbusting” machines, has been the bane of tidy towns committees for years. Around 80 million packets are sold annually, with 500 tonnes of gum ending up on the streets.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen said he would bring the proposals to Cabinet in the autumn. “Vast amounts of the taxpayers’ money every year pays for the clean-up of chewing gum. I believe those who use it should pay for its clean-up,” he said.