Most of us don't think of chewing gum as a plastic product — but conventional chewing gum can contain synthetic materials in its gum base.
Quick answer
Plastic-free chewing gum does exist. The key is the gum base — the part that gives chewing gum its familiar chew. Look for a brand that clearly identifies its gum base as plastic free rather than simply listing “gum base”. True Gum is a plastic-free chewing gum available in Australia.
Why can chewing gum contain plastic?
The gum base gives chewing gum its stretch and chew. In conventional gum, this base can include synthetic polymers, but the individual ingredients aren't always disclosed — you may simply see “gum base” on the label.
Did you know? Chewing gum hasn't always relied on synthetic gum bases. Natural gums made from tree sap have a long history of being chewed, and plant-derived alternatives are still used to make plastic-free gum today.
Why choose gum without a plastic gum base?
Chewing gum is designed to be chewed and then thrown away. Choosing a plastic-free gum base means you're not chewing a product made with synthetic plastic polymers — or leaving that plastic behind when you're finished.
How can I tell if chewing gum contains plastic?
Start with the ingredient list. The most important ingredient to investigate is the gum base.
On conventional chewing gum, you may simply see “gum base” without an explanation of what that base is made from. Because gum bases can contain synthetic polymers, those two words alone don't necessarily tell you whether a gum is plastic free.
What to look for:
✓ A clearly identified plastic-free gum base — don't assume a gum is plastic free just because it is described as natural.
✓ Transparency about the gum base — look for a brand that clearly explains whether its gum base is plastic free.
✓ Plastic-free packaging — worth checking if you're trying to reduce plastic beyond the gum itself.
⚠ Watch for vague “gum base” labelling. If the manufacturer doesn't identify the base or state that it is plastic free, the ingredient list alone may not give you enough information to know.
What plastic-free chewing gum is available in Australia?
True Gum is plastic free, sugar free, vegan and naturally flavoured.
Frequently asked questions
Do all chewing gum brands contain plastic?
No. It isn't accurate to say that all chewing gum contains plastic. However, conventional chewing gum can contain synthetic polymers in its gum base. If you're trying to avoid them, look for a brand that explicitly identifies its gum base as plastic free.
What is the best plastic-free chewing gum?
Look for chewing gum that clearly identifies its gum base as plastic free rather than relying on vague “gum base” labelling. True Gum is one plastic-free option available in Australia and is also sugar free and vegan.
Is “gum base” another word for plastic?
No. Gum base is the non-soluble part of chewing gum that gives it its chew. Gum base can be made from different materials, including synthetic polymers or non-plastic alternatives, so seeing “gum base” on an ingredient list doesn't automatically mean the gum contains plastic.
What plastic-free chewing gum is available in Australia?
Biome stocks True Gum in Mint and Strong Mint. Both have a plastic-free gum base and are sugar free and vegan.
Is plastic-free gum better?
If reducing plastic is important to you, choosing gum made without a plastic gum base removes one source of plastic from an everyday disposable product. Checking the gum base and packaging can help you make a more informed choice.
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