Chew on this!

Launching in July in the UK is Glee Gum, a 100% natural, plastic-free, biodegradable and sugar-free chewing gum line packaged in recycled cardboard.

Naturally sweetened with xylitol, the gum contains no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners or preservatives, and comes in four varieties: Peppermint, Watermelon, Lemon-Lime and Bubblegum.

Unlike mainstream synthetic gums, Glee Gum uses chicle, a sustainably harvested sap from the sapodilla tree, which grows in the forests of south-eastern Mexico.

The brand highlights the fact that local councils across the UK spend millions on cleaning up after gum chewers. At any one time it is estimated that London’s Oxford Street is covered by 300,000 pieces of chewing gum, it says, costing councils up to £1.50 to clean a square metre. Glee Gum breaks down to dust and leaves no trace.

“I’m very excited about the launch of Glee Gum in the UK in July,” says Keir Carnie from Glee Gum UK. “The brand already has a strong foothold in the US, and we know the UK market is ready to follow suit and begin ditching the synthetic plastic based alternatives!”