"Chew it, wrap it, bin it"

15th February 2012

"Chew it, wrap it, bin it" message promoted to Highland pupils

Next week pupils in ten Highland schools will take part in a series of drama workshops to highlight issues surrounding litter, especially disposal of discarded chewing gum.

The Bin It! workshops, sponsored by Wrigley, aims to encourage students aged 11-13 to consider the personal, social and environment costs of gum litter and to encourage behavioural change. The interactive workshops will use actors and role play to influence and change students' attitude so they can make a long-term positive change.

During the sessions pupils will gain an insight into the daily life of a street-cleaner from Alex, a representative of the local council. His particular bugbear is gum litter, and students are introduced to some of the culprits responsible for dropping it. The audience's attitudes and beliefs are revealed and they are invited, through the use of hot-seating and role-play,to challenge them.

Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie welcomes the opportunity for Highland schools to take part in the Bin It!.drama workshops. He said: "These workshops are a clever and creative way to challenge behaviour and at the same time encouraging young people to take an interest in current issues, engage in discussion and debate, play an active role as responsible citizens in public life, and learn about their rights and responsibilities."

Bin It! workshops have toured over 400 schools across the UK and 74% of schools taking part reported less gum dropping following the event. The Highland tour has been organised by the Council's Education and Enforcement team within TEC Services.

Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, Councillor John Laing said: "Carelessly discarded chewing gum is a topic all Councillors receive a lot of complaints about and something most pupils have experience of. The "chew it, wrap it, bin it" message is an important one to promote and I'm sure all the young people taking part will be more likely to think about the way they dispose of their gum in the future."

Sian O'Keefe, Senior Corporate Affairs Manager, Wrigley said: "Bin It! has a strong record of success and we are thrilled that schools in the Highlands will have the chance to benefit from it this year. As a member of the Chewing Gum Action Group, we delighted to be working once again with Highland Council on the 2012 CGAG campaign to reduce chewing gum litter. By joining up our efforts, we can really reinforce the message of civic responsibility in proper litter disposal and help build on the fantastic results Inverness achieved in last year's CGAG campaign."

The secondary schools taking part in the Highland Bin It! tour are: Alness Academy, Dingwall Academy, Invergordon Academy, Kingussie High School, Inverness Royal Academy, Glenurquhart High School, Inverness Royal Academy, Millburn Academy. Two Inverness Primary schools, Lochardil Primary and Hilton Primary, will also be participating.