What Is the Gum Recycling Project?
Giving chewing gum a second life—sounds pretty cool, right? This project is all about being the first company worldwide to recycle waste chewing gum and turn it into something innovative called GUM-TEC® compounds. These compounds aren’t just recycled gum; they’re the building blocks for a variety of new products. The mission? To clean up streets littered with gum and slash those expensive cleaning bills that cities and businesses face every day.
Main Benefits and Impressive Numbers
Here’s where it gets exciting. The project isn’t just talk—it delivers real results. Check out these key figures:
- Over 10,000,000 pieces of gum collected
- More than £1,000,000 saved on cleaning bills
- Over 300,000 GUM-TEC® products made
- The iconic Gumdrop Bin reduces gum litter by up to 90%
Innovative Solutions: The Gumdrop Bin
One of the standout innovations is the Gumdrop Bin. This isn’t your average trash can. It’s specifically designed for gum recycling and has proven to cut gum litter by a whopping 90%. Placed in busy public spaces, these bins make it easy for people to dispose of their gum responsibly. The result? Cleaner streets and a big dent in gum litter problems.
Collaborations with Big Names
Trusted by some of the biggest brands, this project has made waves across various industries. For example, Adidas® teamed up to create the Stan Smith sneaker featuring a sole made from GUM-TEC® compounds. It’s a perfect example of how recycled gum can be transformed into something stylish and functional. These partnerships highlight the versatility and potential of recycled gum beyond just waste management.
Success Stories from Various Sectors
The impact of this gum recycling initiative can be seen in multiple case studies:
- Amazon: Saving over £12,000 a year on cleaning costs across more than 10 sites.
- Great Western Railway: Cutting cleaning expenses by over £25,000 annually—more than the cost of their cleaning contract.
- Winchester University: Saving £6,000 a year and producing 3,000 Americano mugs annually.
- Kensington & Chelsea Council: Using over 5,000 Gumdrop on-the-go bins, resulting in an 80%+ drop in gum litter.
- British Library: Managing 400 miles of shelves with significantly less gum litter.
- Colchester Borough Council: Also benefiting from reduced gum waste and cleaner public spaces.
Environmental and Social Impact
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Cleaner streets and public spaces
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Recycling waste into new products
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing waste and lowering environmental footprint
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Preventing gum litter from harming urban ecosystems
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
With over a million pounds saved and millions of pieces of gum recycled, this project is just getting started. The potential to expand and innovate further is huge. Whether it’s more partnerships, new product lines, or even bigger reductions in litter, the future looks bright for giving chewing gum a second life. Interested parties are encouraged to explore how these innovative ideas can help tackle waste gum challenges in their own communities.
