Most chewing gum contains synthetic plastic, yet few consumers realize it. Environmental advocates are pushing for greater transparency and a potential ban on plastic-based gum in the U.K.
Jamie Hailstone reports for Forbes.
In short:
- Many chewing gum brands use a "gum base" containing synthetic plastics like polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate.
- The U.K. consumes about four billion pieces of plastic gum annually, much of which ends up as litter or in landfills.
- Advocates argue that plastic gum contributes to microplastic pollution and are urging policymakers to take action.
Key quote:
"Your average gum chewer is unknowingly chewing on a big blob of plastic."
— Keir Carnie, founder of Nuud
Why this matters:
Chewing gum is an often-overlooked source of plastic pollution. Made with petroleum-based ingredients, it contributes to microplastic contamination in waterways and the environment. Once discarded, plastic gum can take decades to break down, fragmenting into smaller pieces that enter food chains.
Research links microplastics to potential health risks, including hormonal disruptions and inflammatory diseases. While plastic-free gum alternatives exist, they remain a niche market, and few consumers realize what they are chewing. The push for regulatory action in the U.K. reflects growing concerns over everyday plastics hidden in common products.
Related: Nearly 200 compounds linked to breast cancer found in food packaging, tableware: Study
