Brothers earn lots by preventing 700 KG of Chewing Gum Plastic from polluting the Environment.
Chewing gum is a popular and widespread habit, with millions of people worldwide indulging in it every day. While it is commonly believed that chewing gum takes seven years to digest, this is not true. However, there are adverse effects of gum on not just our health, but also the environment. Regular chewing gum contains a substance called polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which is used in the manufacture of tyres and glue. The gums we consume are plastic-based, and PVA damages public property.
According to a report by Research Gate, chewing gum generates more than 105 tonnes of plastic waste each year. The discarded non-biodegradable residue of gum produces plastic pollution, which is hard to collect or track and ends up polluting the earth for thousands of years. As a step towards reducing gum waste, a Bengaluru Startup has made a “plastic-free, fully biodegradable and all-natural ingredient” chewing gum. Gud Gum, founded by Mayank B Nagori and his brother Bhuvan, has sold over 5 lakh pieces of gum since its launch in 2022 and claims to have saved 700 kg of gum plastic from polluting the earth.
Mayank and Bhuvan’s childhood was the inspiration for Gud Gum. As children, they were taught to be environmentally friendly and to live in harmony with nature. They always took bottles with them to avoid using plastic bottles, never used “use-and-throw” crockeries, and carried their plates wherever they travelled. Mayank, who used to chew gum extensively during exams, decided to quit after reading an article in 2010 that explained how plastic is primarily used in chewing gums. It was years later that he decided to start research and make Gud Gums, inspired by a company that made biodegradable chewing gum in the US.
Gud Gum is made from a special base called chicory tree gum base, which is a plant-based sap that is biodegradable. When people spit it out, it disintegrates in a couple of months or weeks, depending on the type of bacteria present in the soil. The gums do not leave any waste behind, and they do not use any artificial colouring or flavour. Instead, they use stevia, a plant-based sweetener, fruit pulps, and natural fruit colours in the gums, making them healthy for both the environment and nature.
Mayank conducted a survey of 300 Bengalureans to find out if they knew about the plastic content in chewing gums. Less than 10 percent of them knew about it, and they were shocked to know that. Mayank realised that awareness was the key, and biodegradable gums could become successful. Gud Gum was launched in 2022, and so far, they have sold over 5 lakh pieces, with their products packed in paper and tin boxes to make their packaging more eco-friendly. The Startup was incubated by NSRCEL-IIMB in the same year and earned a revenue of over Rs 6 lakh last month.
While people often greet the idea of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic-based gums warmly, the higher prices and different texture of the gum can be a hurdle. Mayank notes that they faced the problem that most people are used to having plastic-based gums with artificial sweeteners, which give a long-lasting sweetness and an extremely chewy and soft texture. It took them a while to explain and engage with people to explain why they should switch to biodegradable gums. However, with time, the demand for Gud Gum is increasing, and Mayank and Bhuvan are planning to expand their business and reach a wider audience.
