# Recycled Bubblegum Plastics The GumDrop Initiative Asks Consumers to Recycle Gum for Future Use By M | Published 2016-03-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycle-gum References: [core77](http://www.core77.com/posts/48122/British-Product-Designer-Pioneers-Method-to-Recycle-Chewing-Gum-Into-Moldable-Plastic) & [gumdropltd](http://gumdropltd.com/gumdrop-bin/) The Gumdrop initiative is a recycle gum project that encourages consumers on the street to discard their gum in a pink dropbox so that the gum can be repurposed and transformed into [useable plastic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berry-global-group-and-mars). This is an innovative environmentally friendly project that aims to keep gum off of the streets and transform the discarded food product into a useable substance. The initiative begins with a series of pink spherical bins located throughout a city called 'Gumdrops.' The bins are designed to be discard areas specifically for consumers to place their old [chewing gum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tridifferent) in so that it can be added to a [closed loop recycling program](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comprehensive-recycling). The gum is then collected from the Gumdrops and used to make plastic material. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Closed-loop Recycling:** Implementing closed-loop recycling programs can transform discarded items like gum into new materials, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. - **Circular Economy:** The GumDrop Initiative exemplifies the circular economy model by repurposing gum waste into useable plastic, showcasing the potential for innovative waste management solutions. - **Sustainable Packaging:** By utilizing recycled bubblegum plastics, companies have the opportunity to create sustainable packaging options, reducing their environmental footprint and meeting consumer demands. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sustainability:** The sustainability industry can leverage closed-loop recycling programs like the Gumdrop Initiative to promote eco-friendly practices and create new materials from waste. - **Waste Management:** The waste management industry can explore innovative solutions, such as repurposing gum waste into plastic, to reduce landfill accumulation and transform waste materials into valuable resources. - **Packaging:** The packaging industry can capitalize on recycled bubblegum plastics as a sustainable packaging material, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging options and meeting consumer preferences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reusable Chewing Gum Containers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chewing-gum-container.md) - [Gamified Recycling Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candy-container.md) - [Sustainable Festival Stands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-pure-fresh-gum-stand.md) - [Minimal-Ingredient Chewing Gums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-free-gum.md) - [Recycling Home-Use Compactor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clear-drop-1.md) - [Paper-Made Gum Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-pure-fresh-gum-packaging.md) - [Paper Chewing Gum Tubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chewing-gum-tube.md) - [Plant-Powered Sugarless Gums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refresh-gum.md) - [Eco-Friendly Chewing Gum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/true-gum.md)