Ethan Clarke
Orbit gum, owned by the UK company Wrigley, does contain plastic. In fact, most popular gum brands contain plastic, with the most common type being polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic. Before the 1960s, gum was produced with chicle, a natural latex substance from the sapodilla tree that is fully biodegradable. However, due to its low cost and perceived improved customer experience, plastic-based gum has become the norm for most mainstream brands. While the FDA has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, with one study finding that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva. As a result, Orbit has introduced more sustainable packaging for its gum, with the goal of achieving 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Orbit Gum contain plastic? | Yes, Orbit gum contains plastic. |
| Types of plastic used in Orbit Gum | Polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic. |
| Percentage of plastic in Orbit Gum | Approximately 80% plastic. |
| Other popular gums containing plastic | Wrigley's Extra, Airwaves, Hubba Bubba |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable or compostable due to plastic content. |
| Health risks | Potential exposure to microplastics. |
| Environmental impact | Contributes to plastic pollution and littering. |
| Recent initiatives | Orbit introduced a 30-piece Mega Pack with recyclable packaging to reduce plastic waste. |
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What You'll Learn
Orbit gum contains plastic
Orbit gum, owned by the UK company Wrigley, does contain plastic. In fact, most popular gum brands contain polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic, in their "gum base". Other popular gum bases are made from polyethylene and polyisobutylene. Before the adoption of synthetic plastic gum bases in the 1960s, gum was produced with chicle, a natural latex substance from the sapodilla tree that is fully biodegradable.
The plastic in Orbit gum is a polymer-based plastic made from oil, which is also used to make car tires. It is estimated that gum contains about 80% plastic, although it is important to note that gum is not purely plastic and contains other additives. The plastic in gum gives it its "`chewy' nature.
The presence of plastic in gum poses environmental concerns as it is a major source of plastic pollution and littering on sidewalks, pavements, and roads. Gum is not biodegradable or compostable and can take up to 500 years to fully degrade. In addition, a pilot study by the American Chemical Society found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva, which can then be ingested.
In recent years, Orbit gum has made efforts to reduce its plastic waste by introducing more sustainable packaging. The Orbit Mega Pack features an outer plastic package designed to be recycled in many U.S. recycling streams, with the goal of achieving 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025.
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Plastic in gum is a health risk
Chewing gum is one of the only foods that intentionally contain plastic. Orbit gum, owned by UK company Wrigley, contains plastic in its gum base. This plastic is usually polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic that is also used to make car tires.
While the plastic in gum is FDA-approved and deemed safe for consumption, it is not biodegradable. This has led to significant littering issues, with discarded gum ending up on sidewalks, pavements, and roads. When thrown away, chewing gum can also be hazardous to wildlife and domestic animals that may ingest it.
Recent studies have found that chewing gum releases hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva. These microplastics are fragments of polymers that range in size from 1 to 5000 micrometers. While the health effects of these microplastics are not yet fully understood, emerging evidence suggests several potential health risks. Microplastics have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and they have been found in various body parts and fluids, including the blood, lungs, placenta, brain, and testicles.
While there are plastic-free alternatives to chewing gum, such as gum made with chicle, a natural latex substance from the sapodilla tree, the plastic-based variety has become the norm for most mainstream brands due to its low cost and perceived superior chewing experience.
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Plastic in gum is an environmental hazard
Orbit gum, owned by the UK company Wrigley, does contain plastic. Before the 1960s, gum was produced with chicle, a natural latex substance from the sapodilla tree that is fully biodegradable. However, due to its low cost and the preferred chewing experience it offers, plastic-based gum has become the norm for most mainstream brands.
Chewing gum is a significant contributor to plastic pollution, with an estimated 100,000 tons of plastic waste generated annually. This plastic pollution has various environmental impacts, including:
- Littering and cleanliness issues: Discarded gum on sidewalks, pavements, roads, and street furniture is unsightly and challenging to clean, leading to dissatisfaction among citizens regarding the cleanliness of public spaces.
- Water contamination: Chewing gum often ends up in sewers and waterways, polluting water sources and harming aquatic life. It can also seep into the ground and contaminate water tables.
- Microplastic ingestion by humans and animals: Chewing gum breaks down into microplastics over time, which can be ingested by humans and animals. These microplastics can have harmful health effects.
- Financial burden: The average cost of cleaning up gum pollution is £1.50 per square meter, with the annual cleanup cost for UK councils estimated at £7 million.
While the FDA has deemed the plastics used in chewing gum safe for human consumption, the environmental impact of gum disposal warrants attention. Efforts to address this issue include the installation of gum collection pots and signage encouraging responsible disposal. Additionally, some companies are developing plastic-free gum alternatives.
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Plastic in gum is FDA-approved
Chewing gum typically contains synthetic or natural polymers for better texture, elasticity, and flavour retention. Natural gum products use a plant-based polymer, such as chicle or other tree sap, to achieve the right chewiness, while other products use synthetic rubber bases from petroleum-based polymers.
The plastic found in most chewing gum brands is a polymer-based plastic made from oil. Polymer plastic is also used to make things like car tires, and it gives most chewing gum its ‘chewy’ nature. Before the adoption of synthetic plastic in chewing gum in the 1960s, gum was produced with chicle, a natural latex substance from the sapodilla tree that is fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum. According to an FDA spokesperson:
> The FDA has evaluated the safety of many substances used to make up chewing gum base... The 46 substances that we have reviewed and determined to be safe for this use can be found in our regulations... We have reviewed the safety of chewing gum base constituents many times since at least 1960 when we received a food additive petition for ingredients in chewing gum base. Even before that, we evaluated the safety of other chewing gum base ingredients on a case-by-case basis.
The FDA allows gum base to contain any of dozens of approved food-grade materials—substances deemed either safe for human consumption or safe to be in contact with food. These include polyethylene (the most common type of plastic, used in plastic bags and milk jugs), polyvinyl acetate (a plastic also found in glue), and styrene-butadiene rubber (commonly used in car tires).
However, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and chewing gum has been linked to microplastic ingestion. In a study, researchers found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested.
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Plastic alternatives for gum
Plastic-free chewing gum alternatives are available and are made from natural, compostable, and biodegradable ingredients. Chicle, a natural latex substance derived from the sapodilla tree, is one example of a natural gum base. It is biodegradable, sustainably harvested, and environmentally friendly. Glee Gum, for instance, uses chicle, calcium carbonate, candelilla wax, and citrus peels in its base formula.
Some companies are committed to using natural ingredients, such as organic sweeteners like xylitol, honey, or cane sugar, and plant-based ingredients like beeswax or candelilla wax, which help the gum maintain its shape and texture without synthetic additives. Oh My Gum, for instance, is an Italian company that uses 100% plant-based ingredients, is sugar-free, vegan-friendly, and uses sustainable packaging.
It is worth noting that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum, deeming it safe for human consumption. However, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and plastic-based gum contributes to littering issues and environmental concerns.
When choosing a plastic-free gum alternative, look for brands that use natural gum bases like chicle and organic sweeteners. Avoid artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and synthetic gum bases, as they may contain plastics and other synthetic ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Orbit gum contains plastic.
Orbit gum's "gum base" is made of polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic.
The FDA has evaluated the safety of the substances used to make up chewing gum bases, including Orbit gum, and has determined that they are safe for consumption.
Orbit gum is not environmentally friendly as it is not biodegradable or compostable due to its plastic content. If not properly disposed of, it can be a source of plastic pollution and harm wildlife and domestic animals that ingest it.
Orbit gum has introduced a more sustainable 30-piece Mega Pack with recyclable outer plastic packaging to help reduce plastic waste in partnership with How2Recycle®.
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