A new plastic-free and vegan chewing gum has launched named Nopla; a Welsh manufacturer with an aim to revolutionise the market and care for the planet by providing biodegradable and vegan alternatives to familiar favourite chewing gum brands.
In line with the launch, a study took place to find out how many Brits were actually aware that there was plastic in chewing gum in the first place.
Research by Nopla, 100% plastic-free gum, has found that just 1 in 4 are aware that most chewing gum contains plastic.
In fact, a survey of more than 2,000 Brits revealed most people aren’t clear on what they’re putting in their mouth. 32% believe chewing gum is made of just animal products, 24% said just rubber, and 17% believe chicle is the main ingredient.
Most modern gums are based on a rubbery material called polyisobutylene that’s also used in the manufacture of inner tubes. Polyisobutylene is mixed with plasticisers and materials –making the gum mixture chewable.
98% of chewing gum is made from plastic, creating 100,000 tonnes of plastic pollution each year, according to Just One Ocean.
Not only is it destroying the planet, but it’s costing councils around £60m per year to keep our streets clear of chewing gum.
Regional knowledge varies. People in Wales were the most aware, with a third of respondents knowing chewing gum contained plastic, but those in the North East were the least with just 1 in 6.
Despite 95% of people claiming to recycle and most knowing regular chewing gum does not degrade easily, 1 in 6 admitted to disposing of chewing gum on a surface and the same number had dropped it on the pavement.
More worryingly, 2 in 5 people have swallowed gum before.
And consumer feedback seems to encourage this move. 82% of people said they are more likely or much more likely to buy a food product if it is sustainable and environmentally friendly, and 65% of respondents said they’d be willing to spend more money for these qualities.
Emily Howarth, Founder at Nopla, says:
“Most chewing gum is made with plastic. Ours is different – in fact, our name, Nopla, stands for ‘no plastic’. Our gum is entirely plastic-free, meaning it’s biodegradable, kinder to the environment and better for your health. Best of all, Nopla doesn’t compromise on taste.
Discarded chewing gum is the second-largest litter source in the world. Swapping to a biodegradable, plastic-free alternative like Nopla makes a big difference to global plastic waste. That’s why we say Nopla is a small bite with a big difference.”
You can find out more about the research enjoying gum without guilt here.
