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A Sticky Problem: Is Chewing Gum Harmful to the Environment?

A Sticky Groblem Is Chewing Gum Harmful to the Environment? The Bubble Bursts: GUM AND THE ENVIRONMENT Chewing gum is the world's second most common form of Though the consistency of gum is what makes it popular, it can lead to serious environmental damage. litter after cigarette butts. $2,000,000 Disposal and collection of gum packaging at landfills costs more than $2 million annually. An estimated 92% of Britain's urban paving stones have gum stuck to them. One of the main polymers in chewing gum base is polyisobutylene. Conventional gum does not biodegrade because it is made from polymers, which are synthetic plastics. 80-90% of chewing gum is not disposed of in any litter receptacle. Covered birds after the BP Is also used as an engine lubricant and adhesive oil spill 250k In Singapore, chewing gum is banned unless a chewer has a prescription from a doctor or dentist. The amount of gum we chew in a year adds up to more than 250,000 tons of waste. Fish consume littered gum, which accumulates toxins overtime. The gum polymers are reintroduced into the food chain when we eat the fish. 2012 To prepare for the 2012 London Olympics, city cleanup crews spent 3 months steam cleaning 300,000 pieces of gum off of less than 2 miles of street. ....... .... It cost the city between 16 cents and $3 to remove each wad of gum. Advancements IN SUSTAINABILITY In 2011, a British scientist invented a sustainable alternative to chewing gum called Rev7. It's 30% easier to remove Unlike regular gum, which is water-resistant, this gum dissolves with water. With water and mild agitation, the gum can disintegrate into a fine powder in 6 months. from clothes and sidewalks. There are also modern-day chicle-based gums that biodegrade completely in 2 weeks. It's 100% biodegradeable. The gum we chew now is meant to mimic the chicle-based gum the ancient Mayans chewed. Chicle is a natural form of rubber. What to do mith ALREADY-BEEN-CHEWED GUM RECYCLE YOUR GUM HERE Similarly, the Gummy Bin helps reduce chewing gum litter. Inventors developed a technology to recycle chewed gum (which can be turned into rubber containers or children's toys). 72% This technology requires chewers to throw used gum into specially designated waste containers. It reduced chewing gum litter by 72% over a six-month period in 2006. : . GUMDROP The recycled gum can be turned into drainage and construction material. 25% 40% The UK's Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAC) have reduced littered gum by as much as 25-40% by promoting good disposal practice through: On-pack icons Proper disposal messages in advertising and at point of sale Where specified gum bins are not available, the next best option is to wrap chewed gum and place it in a trash can. Do not flush it down the toilet or throw it into waterways. The truth of the matter is, gum isn't going anywhere. The demand is high, but so is gum's lasting power in the environment. confectionerynews.com darksideofthechew.com dover.gov.uk earthyreport.com ediblegeography.com gumassociation.org gumdropltd.com zerowasteeurope.eu rgvnetwork.com simplygum.com linanwindow.com slate.com myzerowaste.com Brought to you by: In partnership with: CUSTOM E) MADE GHERGICH&Co. .............

A Sticky Problem: Is Chewing Gum Harmful to the Environment?

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You may not realize it, but chewing gum is the newest thing to become a threat to our environment. www.custommade.com has created an infographic entitled “A Sticky Problem: Is Chewing Gum Harmful to...

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