How Much Waste Does Trident Gum Produce A Year​

Chewing gum is an ubiquitous product found across many cultures, and one of the most popular brands is Trident gum. It is consumed by millions of people around the world for its fresh taste, long-lasting chew, and enjoyable flavors. However, like all mass-produced products, Trident gum has a significant environmental impact, particularly when it comes to waste generation. This article will explore the waste production associated with Trident gum, the environmental effects, and the measures that can be taken to reduce gum waste.

In this comprehensive analysis, we will delve into how Trident gum contributes to solid waste, what happens to chewing gum when it is discarded, and how it impacts municipal solid waste (MSW) systems. We'll also discuss recycling efforts and alternatives to traditional gum that could help mitigate some of these environmental issues.

Does Trident Gum Decompose?

One of the most concerning aspects of Trident gum is its biodegradability. In general, gum is not biodegradable. Trident gum is made using synthetic materials, primarily gum base, which is a mixture of plastics, resins, and other compounds. These substances are resistant to biological breakdown. As a result, when Trident gum is discarded, whether on the sidewalk, in the trash, or elsewhere, it can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to decompose completely.

How Much Waste Does Gum Produce?

Chewing gum contributes significantly to solid waste accumulation. Globally, billions of pieces of gum are chewed and disposed of every day. The plastic used in chewing gum, including Trident gum, does not break down naturally. Instead, it remains as municipal solid waste (MSW), often found littering streets, public spaces, and even entering landfills. The gum itself can be found stuck to surfaces like sidewalks, public transportation seating, and benches for months or even years.

In the United States, the environmental footprint of chewing gum is substantial. According to some studies, gum waste contributes around 250,000 tons of solid waste in landfills each year. A significant portion of this is Trident gum, as it is one of the leading gum brands in the world.

How Bad Is Gum for the Environment?

The environmental impact of chewing gum is serious. Not only does it contribute significantly to solid waste, but it also causes environmental hazards in other ways:

1. Littering: A study from Keep Britain Tidy revealed that chewing gum accounts for 95% of the gum litter in the United Kingdom. This kind of litter is particularly troublesome because it is difficult to clean up and often ends up contaminating natural landscapes.

2. Plastic Pollution: Most chewing gums, including Trident gum, contain plastic ingredients like polyvinyl acetate or polyisobutylene, both of which are plastics resistant to biodegradation. These materials contribute to plastic pollution, which has a profound effect on wildlife, especially marine animals that may mistake gum for food.

3. Microplastics: As Trident gum decomposes over time, it breaks into microplastic fragments that can enter water bodies and oceans. These microplastics pose a significant threat to marine life and may eventually enter the food chain.

4. Waste Management: Trident gum, being a non-biodegradable substance, complicates waste management efforts, especially in urban settings. Gum litter adds to the burden of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, making it harder for cities and towns to manage waste disposal and cleaning.

Does Chewing Gum Contain Plastic?

Yes, chewing gum, including Trident gum, contains plastic. The gum base in many modern chewing gums, including Trident, is made from synthetic polymers such as polyisobutylene or polyvinyl acetate, which are forms of plastic. These plastics are used to give gum its chewiness and long-lasting texture.

How Long Does It Take for Gum to Decompose?

The decomposition time for Trident gum is extremely slow. While natural substances like food scraps break down within weeks, Trident gum can take anywhere from 5 to 1,000 years to decompose fully. The slow degradation of gum is due to the plastic and synthetic rubber materials that make up the gum base, which are resistant to breakdown by natural processes like bacteria and fungi.

While natural gum products made from chicle are biodegradable, modern Trident gum made from synthetic materials has a far longer decomposition timeline. As the gum breaks down, it disintegrates into microplastics, which can enter our waterways and oceans, contributing to plastic pollution.

Is Extra Gum Biodegradable?

Like Trident gum, Extra gum is also made from synthetic materials, meaning it is not biodegradable. Both Trident and Extra gum contain gum base made of plastics, which do not break down naturally in the environment. When disposed of improperly, Extra gum contributes to plastic waste and municipal solid waste (MSW).

Is Wrigley's Chewing Gum Biodegradable?

Wrigley's, another leading gum manufacturer, produces gums similar to Trident gum in terms of their gum base composition. As a result, Wrigley’s chewing gum is not biodegradable either. The same issues related to plastic waste, microplastics, and environmental pollution apply to Wrigley’s gum as they do to Trident gum.

What Is Gum Base?

Gum base is the key ingredient in chewing gum, responsible for giving it its chewy texture. The gum base is typically made from a mixture of synthetic rubbers, plastics, resins, waxes, and other chemicals. These materials provide the gum with its long-lasting chewiness but also make it non-biodegradable, contributing to its environmental impact.

Solid Waste and Gum Production

The production of chewing gum like Trident also contributes to solid waste at various stages. The production process involves several stages:

1. Agriculture: The sourcing of raw materials, such as natural gum or synthetic materials, contributes to agricultural waste and environmental degradation.

2. Transportation: The transport of these raw materials, whether to factories or distribution centers, adds to the carbon footprint and increases the solid waste generated.

3. Packaging: The packaging of Trident gum in plastic and foil wrappers adds another layer to its solid waste footprint.

Recycling Gum: Can It Be Done?

Currently, chewing gum recycling is not widely practiced, but there have been some efforts in recent years to address the issue. Companies like Terracycle are running programs in various countries to collect used chewing gum, clean it, and recycle it into new products. Some of these products include pencils, frisbees, and coffee cups, which help divert chewing gum waste from landfills and reduce its environmental impact.

However, these initiatives are still limited in scope and need broader adoption to make a significant difference. Most recycling programs still do not accept chewing gum due to the complexity of its composition and the fact that it contains plastics that are difficult to process in traditional recycling facilities.

Alternatives to Traditional Gum

In response to the growing environmental concerns, some companies are now offering more sustainable alternatives to traditional chewing gum. These products are typically made from natural gums such as chicle, which is biodegradable and decomposes much faster than synthetic gum bases. Brands like True Gum, Chizca, and Chewsy offer 100% biodegradable chewing gum made from natural ingredients that break down in a matter of weeks.

These natural gums not only offer a better alternative for the environment but also provide a healthier option for consumers who are concerned about the plastic content of traditional gum.

Solid Waste Solutions: Can Shredders Help?

To tackle the growing issue of solid waste from products like Trident gum, advanced waste management systems need to be employed. Shredders and other recycling equipment can help process materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. Pre shredders and fine shredders are capable of breaking down large quantities of waste, including plastic and other synthetic materials, into smaller, more manageable parts.

In the case of gum waste, these systems can help reduce the size of gum pieces, making it easier to handle and recycle. Additionally, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) sorting plants could be used to separate gum from other types of waste for recycling or disposal in a more eco-friendly manner.

Final Thoughts: How Much Waste Does Trident Gum Produce?

The production, consumption, and disposal of Trident gum contribute to a significant amount of solid waste. From the plastic used in its gum base to the litter it generates in urban areas, the environmental impact is clear. While traditional gum products like Trident take centuries to decompose and often contribute to plastic pollution, there are growing efforts to create more sustainable alternatives.

In the future, greater efforts to recycle chewing gum, combined with innovations in biodegradable alternatives, may help reduce the long-term environmental damage caused by products like Trident gum. Until then, it is crucial for consumers to be aware of the environmental impact of their consumption habits and consider alternatives when possible.