Filthy. Gorgeous.
Every day, millions of us enjoy chewing gum. A simple pleasure, yet one that often leaves behind an inconvenient problem – discarded gum litter on our streets, clinging to our pavements, and contributing to an overlooked environmental challenge. But what if that very same gum could be transformed into something extraordinary?
From the indigestible to the irresistible.
Capture
Gumdrop have pioneered the world’s first closed-loop recycling process for waste chewing gum. How? Their distinctive pink Gumdrop Bins provide a dedicated collection point for waste gum, preventing it from becoming litter. The Gumdrop Bins are also made from recycled chewing gum!
Gumdrop also works with the chewing gum industry, offering them a zero-waste alternative. Similarly converting their waste into a range of GUM-TEC® plastic compounds. Whether it has come from the factory or from the aftermath of a passer-by, all will be given a second life.
Sort & Process
All the collected gum is firstly heat treated, this part of their process runs at incredibly high temperatures which kills off all harmful bacteria. Once heat treated the gum is compounded under high pressure with a polymer that allows the gum to be malleable and suitable for a wide range of manufacturing processes. Before end production the material is trimmed into small pea sized pellets, again this is to ensure the material is in a form that allows for further manufacturing.
Repurpose
The Gumtec material is just used on the outer thermal layer of the Circular Cup. The inside components, lid and any components that come into contact with the beverage are made using certified food grade materials to ensure the cup is safe to use.
New Life
The Gumtec material is injection moulded under high pressure to make a variety of products. We use it for the outer layer of our cups. The outer is then spun welded to the inner layer, creating the base of the cup. The patented ‘push/push’ lid that we all know and love is then assembled onto the cup base and BOSH the cup is complete. Ready for years of use and designed to be fully recyclable at the end of its life so all those useful materials can be reborn and reused once again. That’s the Circular way!
Repeat
