1000’s of tonnes of plastic air pollution may well be escaping into the surroundings yearly … from our mouths. Maximum chewing gum on sale is constructed from a lot of oil-based artificial rubbers – very similar to the plastic subject material utilized in automotive tyres.
For those who to find that concept quite unsettling, you aren’t by myself. I’ve been researching and talking in regards to the plastic air pollution drawback for 15 years. The folks I communicate to are at all times shocked, and disgusted, after they to find out they’ve been chewing on a lump of malleable plastic. Maximum producers simply don’t put it on the market what gum is in fact manufactured from – they dodge across the element via checklist “gum base” within the substances.
There’s no strict definition of artificial gum base. Chewing gum emblem, Wrigley Further companions with dental pros all over the world to advertise the usage of sugar-free chewing gum to enhance oral well being.
The logo’s Wrigley Oral Well being Program states that: “Gum base puts the “chew” in chewing gum, binding all of the substances in combination for a clean, comfortable texture. We use artificial gum base fabrics for a constant and protected base that gives longer-lasting flavour, stepped forward texture, and lowered tackiness.“
It nearly sounds risk free. However chemical research presentations that gum comprises styrene-butadiene (the sturdy artificial chemical used to make automotive tyres), polyethylene (the plastic used to make service luggage and bottles) and polyvinyl acetate (woodglue) in addition to some sweetener and flavouring.
The chewing gum trade is huge trade, value an estimated US$48.68 billion (£37.7 billion) in 2025. 3 corporations personal 75% of the marketplace percentage, the biggest of which is Wrigley, with an estimated 35%. There are few dependable statistics to be had in regards to the quantity of gum being produced, however one peer-reviewed international estimate states 1.74 trillion items are made in step with yr.
I tested different types of gum and located that the commonest weight of a person piece of gum is 1.4g – that implies that globally, a staggering 2.436 million tonnes of gum are produced every yr. A couple of 3rd (30%) of that weight, or simply over 730,000 tonnes, is artificial gum base.
If the theory of chewing plastic isn’t aggravating sufficient, imagine what occurs after you spit it out. The general public have skilled discarded gum beneath bench seats, college desks and on side road pavements. However, like different plastics, artificial chewing gum does now not biodegrade and will persist within the atmosphere for a few years.
Within the atmosphere it’ll harden, crack and breakdown into microplastics however it will take many years. Cleansing it up isn’t reasonable as a result of it’s labour in depth. The common value is £1.50 in step with sq. metre and estimates counsel that the yearly clean-up value for chewing gum air pollution for councils in the United Kingdom is round £7 million.
There were some efforts to handle the issue. In lots of public places round the United Kingdom, gum assortment pots provided via Dutch corporate Gumdrop Ltd were put in to gather and recycle used gum. Signage supplied via councils encouraging accountable disposal could also be now a typical function in some UK top streets, and there’s a rising selection of small manufacturers providing plant-based possible choices.
In the United Kingdom, the environmental charity Stay Britain Tidy introduced the chewing gum job drive in 2021. This collaboration comes to 3 main producers who’ve dedicated to making an investment as much as £10 million with the intention to clear up “historical gum staining and converting behaviour in order that extra other people bin their gum”.
However, right here lies the crux of the problem.
The primary function means that cleansing up gum is a method to this type of plastic air pollution; it isn’t. Producers creating a monetary contribution to clean-up efforts is like plastic producers paying for clutter pickers and bin luggage at volunteer seaside cleans. Neither addresses the basis reason for the issue.
Cleansing up chewing gum clutter comes to steam cleansing.
Kathy deWitt / Alamy Inventory Picture
Binning gum isn’t the answer both. Addressing gum as a plastic pollutant dictates that the prevention of gum air pollution must come with the well known tenets, like several plastic air pollution, of cut back, reuse, recycle and redesign. It isn’t just a disposal factor.
Every other factor that I’ve exposed is definition. Within the two annual studies revealed via the gum clutter job drive since its inception, there is not any point out of the phrase air pollution. The dignity between clutter and air pollution is necessary. Via calling it chewing gum air pollution, the narrative adjustments from a person negligence factor to a company one. That puts an onus for duty onto the manufacturers fairly than the shoppers.
Unmarried-use answers
Like single-use plastic pieces, chewing gum air pollution must be tackled from all angles – schooling, relief, possible choices, innovation, manufacturer accountability, and regulation.
Instructing other people in regards to the contents of gum and the environmental penalties the ones substances have will cut back intake and inspire higher disposal conduct. Extra clear labelling on packaging would empower consumers to make knowledgeable alternatives. Stricter laws can grasp producers to account – a levy tax on artificial gum can assist pay for clear ups. In flip, this might incentivise extra funding in plant-based gums and different sustainable possible choices.
We will be able to all cut back the environmental penalties of this plastic air pollution via kicking the gum dependancy, calling on councils to put into effect stricter air pollution consequences and inspiring governments to place a tax levy on producers to fund clear ups and drive them to record the contents of gum base.
Throwing away any non-disposable, inorganic merchandise is unsustainable. Chewing gum air pollution is simply any other type of plastic air pollution. It’s time we begin treating it as such.
