Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Monday, 19 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 June 2023. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Friday, 23 June 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Chewing Gum: Recycling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase recycling of chewing gum.

Answer: Defra, in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy and chewing gum producers, have established the Chewing Gum Task Force through which gum producers will take greater responsibility for the litter and staining caused by their products. Gum producers will be investing up to £10 million over five years to help tackle the issue. As part of the programme of works the Task Force will look at ways of supporting innovation and sharing latest research, which might include recycling of chewing gum.

Secondary information