Plastic Free Chewing Gum
Plastic free chewing gum matters because most chewing gum contains synthetic rubber, a plastic-based polymer that contributes to long-lasting litter.
Plastic Free Chewing Gum: Chew on This
Plastic free chewing gum is something most people never think about, because chewing gum is rarely presented as a plastic pollution issue. With the exception of ‘natural’ brands, all of the chewing gum on sale is made from butadiene-based synthetic rubber, a polymer – a plastic product made from oil (very much like the stuff we use to make car tyres). You probably had no idea that you were chewing on what is essentially a lump of malleable plastic and that’s not surprising, because the manufacturers don’t actually tell you as much – they kind of dodge around the detail.
Why Plastic Free Chewing Gum Matters
80-90% of chewing gum is not disposed of properly and it’s the second most common form of litter after cigarette butts. According to Just One Ocean we are creating 100,000 tonnes of plastic pollution from simply chewing gum…
Choosing plastic free chewing gum helps reduce a hidden source of plastic pollution that many people do not realise they are using every day.
How to Choose Plastic Free Chewing Gum
Look for natural chewing gum brands that clearly state they do not use synthetic rubber or plastic-based gum base.
Avoid dropping chewing gum on streets, beaches, boats, jetties, or dive sites.
Share the fact that most conventional chewing gum is a plastic product made from oil.
Continue the Plastic Free July Series
Explore more practical ways to reduce everyday plastic pollution and support cleaner oceans.
Meridian Adventure Dive Resort
Located in the stunning Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Meridian Adventure Dive is a PADI 5-Star Eco Resort.
