Campaign calls for ban on plastic-based chewing gum

A plastic pollution campaign is calling on the government to ban the sale of plastic-based chewing gum alongside demanding clear labelling of chewing gum products.  

The campaign is headed by plastic pollution charity City to Sea and plastic-free chewing gum Nuud. They have written an open letter to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed. In it, the campaigners call on the Government to ban the production and sale of plastic-based chewing gum, to introduce clear labelling of ingredients and actively promote plastic-free alternatives. 

Jane Martin, City to Sea CEO said: “Shockingly, 40% of chewing gum is plastic, meaning every chew is like biting into a plastic straw.” 

Keir Carnie, Founder and CEO of Nuud Gum said: “Big Gum is today’s Big Tobacco. Plastic gum manufacturers have proven unwilling to change their damaging ways so we’re calling on the Government to address this problem and ban the sale of plastic gum.” 

According to the campaign, approximately four billion pieces of plastic gum are consumed annually. Meanwhile, plastic gum litters 87% of UK pavements.

Plastic-based gum contains synthetic polymers. These are the same plastics found in carrier bags, shampoo bottles, PVA glue and car tyres. 

Read more news and advice on sustainable retail