I saw this morning on the news that the council is taking measures to tackle the problem of chewing gum being discarded on the street floor which is unsitely, a nuisance and expensive to clean up. They have come up with an idea which whether you agree with it or not, you have to admit that it is quite innovative and unusual and they are trialling this in Bletchley.
Basically they are strapping a number of boards to lamposts which have different themes on them. For example, one is "Football, Love or Hate" and the board is divided into two sections. The idea being that whilst walking past, you will discard of your gum by sticking it on one side of the board indicating whether you love or hate it.
Another board, aimed at smaller children shaped as a teddy bear which will be strapped at lower levels.
Now, I'm not a gum chewer, but a couple of points spring to mind here.
- If I was chewing gum and wanted to discard it, do I want to go and put my hands on a board that has countless other chewed saliva ridden gum.
- What happened to good old fashion bins. Wouldn't the money be better spent educating people to stop dropping litter on the streets and use rubbish bins.
- If the council are putting "Teddy Bear" type boards for children of teddy bear loving age has the question been asked "Do children that age really chew gum and spit it out that it such a problem that they have to go to the expense of print and erection of these boards, My 2 year old isn't going to be allowed to chew gum for a few years yet.
Is this really a necessary initiative or is it a waste of tax payers money?