A recent revelation has brought to light an unexpected source of plastic pollution: chewing gum. The research shows that contemporary chewing gum contains synthetic rubber which is similar to those used in car tires, thus substantially contributing to the environmental microplastics.
Hidden Ingredients in Chewing Gum
The world’s largest gum producer Wrigley along with numerous other manufacturers choose not to reveal their complete ingredient list. Wrigley’s oral health page only states that synthetic base functions as the binding agent for all the ingredients.
A 2014 University of Arkansas study identified the particular chemicals which manufacturers utilize during gum production. Three main plastic components used in gum production are styrene-butadiene (tire materials) and polyethylene (plastic bag materials) and polyvinyl acetate (wood glue).
The Scale of the Problem
Estimates suggest that up to 1.74 trillion pieces of gum are produced annually. Given that each piece weighs approximately 1.4 grams, this translates to nearly 2.4 million tons of gum produced yearly. Roughly a third of this weight is synthetic gum base, resulting in a substantial amount of plastic entering the environment.
The discovery of chewing gum with microplastics serve as a clear reminder that plastics exist extensively in common consumer goods. To combat this issue, greater transparency from manufacturers and stricter regulations on product composition are essential. As concerns about plastic waste grow, raising awareness about such unexpected pollutants becomes increasingly important.
Reference- The Conversation, Futurism, Wrigley website,Popular Science