Gum Research

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/chewing-gum-and-the-environment.htmlhttp://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_green_lantern/2011/04/how_green_is_my_wintergreen.html

Landfill (Waste)

- polyisobutene – manufactured by Goodyear – not biodegradable – produces a softer gum base – made from fossil fuels. Butyl rubber= polyisobutene. – isn’t biodegradable.

- humans chew 560,000 tons of gum each year

- removing gum from sidewalk cost London 6 cents more than cost of gum

- chicle – more environmentally friendly -100% biodegradable.

·       Recycling or landfill placement

- 2nd biggest form of litter after cigarettes

- chewing gum has been found in fish where it can accumulate toxins over time.

·       After consumer use where does the gum and wrapper travel

·       Sustainability talks

·       Innovation in waste management – recycling gum to turn into rubber containers or children’s toys – but gum would have to be thrown into separate waste bins

-sustainable chewing gum called Rev7 developed in Britain in 2011 – dissolves in water, disintegrates into fine powder in 6 months

http://www.custommade.com/blog/sustainable-gum/

Retail Stores (Second tier customer)

-wholesalers supply retail stores or directly ship from manufacturer’s warehouses and factories

- retails in food, drug, variety & convenience stores & gas stations, vending machines, restuarants & newstands

·       Prices and Labor costs

·       Where they sell gum

·       How they sell gum

·       Different flavors and packaging

- packages with novelties such as sports cards, toys & comic strips

-novelty shaped bubble gum in various shapes & forms

·        http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/industries/Food-Kindred-Products/Chewing-Gum.html

- -high volume production decresases costs + advances in automation decrease costs – corn syrup & gum base prices have declined in the 1970s reducing high costs.

Distribution (First tier customer)...