Orbit

Introduction

Orbit is a well-known brand of sugar-free chewing gum that has captured the hearts of many around the world. Founded by Mars, Incorporated, Orbit was created with the vision of offering a delicious, refreshing gum option that promotes oral health. The brand has gained popularity for its commitment to quality and joyful snacking, and its founders aimed to address the growing demand for healthier confectionery products that wouldn't compromise on flavor or enjoyment.

The philosophy behind Orbit centers on the idea that gum can be a fun and enjoyable way to maintain oral health, offering consumers a guilt-free indulgence. Orbit not only focuses on delivering great taste but also emphasizes the importance of freshness and cleanliness, aiming to provide a product that contributes positively to oral hygiene. This balance of enjoyment and health consciousness is what sets Orbit apart in a crowded marketplace, allowing it to appeal to a wide range of consumers, from busy professionals to families.

What makes Orbit special is its array of flavor options and innovative marketing strategies that resonate with a modern audience. The brand often incorporates elements of lifestyle and positivity in its advertising campaigns, encouraging consumers to make gum a part of their daily routine. Orbit’s fun and engaging brand personality combined with its dedication to quality is what has helped it stand out and build a loyal customer base.

Signature Products

Orbit offers a variety of mouthwatering gum options that contribute to its reputation and brand identity. Each product is crafted with care to provide lasting flavor and an enjoyable chewing experience.

• Orbit Peppermint : A classic and refreshing mint flavor that invigorates your senses with every chew.
• Orbit Spearmint : A smooth and cool spearmint flavor that delivers a burst of freshness.
• Orbit Strawberry : A delightful fruit-flavored gum that offers a sweet and juicy chewing experience.
• Orbit Wintermint : A crisp and refreshing gum that combines a cool, invigorating flavor with a hint of winter spice.
• Orbit Bubble Gum : A nostalgic flavor that brings back memories while providing a sweet, chewy experience.

Materials and Ingredients Used by Orbit

• Sorbitol : Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant. In Orbit products, it provides a sweet taste while also helping to retain moisture, enhancing the overall texture of the product for a more enjoyable experience.
• Spearmint : Spearmint is a variety of mint known for its refreshing flavor and aroma. Orbit uses spearmint to impart a cool, invigorating taste that appeals to consumers looking for a fresh breath experience.
• Peppermint : Peppermint is another type of mint with a strong flavor and cooling sensation. In the brand's products, peppermint is included for its intense minty taste and breath-freshening qualities, making it a popular choice for chewing gum.
• Strawberry : Strawberry flavor provides a sweet and fruity taste that is appealing to those who enjoy a sweeter chewing experience. Orbit incorporates strawberry to cater to consumers who prefer fruity flavors in their gum.
• Citric Acid : Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer that adds a tangy taste. Orbit utilizes citric acid to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients and keep the flavor profile lively and refreshing.
• Sugar : Sugar is a common sweetener derived from sugar cane or sugar beet. While Orbit's focus is on sugar-free products, it may include sugar in specific varieties to appeal to consumers who desire a traditional sweet taste.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying From Orbit

Energy-Intensive Production:

Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol used in many products, often requires energy-intensive processes for hydrogenation and purification. Such processes typically depend on fossil fuels, leading to significant carbon emissions and strain on energy resources. A 2020 report highlighted that the chemical industry, to which sorbitol production belongs, is responsible for over 20% of global energy consumption, thereby increasing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

Water Usage:

Spearmint cultivation demands considerable water, primarily because it’s often grown in arid regions where irrigation is necessary. As a water-intensive crop, it exacerbates local water scarcity issues. For instance, mint farms in California have been recorded needing upwards of 1000 gallons of water per acre per day during growing seasons, posing challenges in already water-stressed areas.

Pesticide Application:

Heavy pesticide usage is a prominent concern in both spearmint and strawberry farming. These pesticides can contaminate local water sources and harm non-target species, including beneficial insects like bees. A study from 2019 revealed that pesticide runoff from strawberry fields in California negatively impacted local amphibian populations, reducing biodiversity and altering ecosystems.

Monoculture Farming:

Peppermint is often grown in monocultures, severely impacting local biodiversity. Monoculture farming reduces genetic diversity within cultivated areas, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. This practice can also lead to soil nutrient depletion, forcing farmers to use more chemical fertilizers that further harm the environment. A case from Washington State showed significant peppermint crop losses due to pest infestation, highlighting the vulnerability introduced by monocultures.

Labor Exploitation:

Strawberry production is notorious for labor exploitation due to the high demand and intensive labor required for harvesting. In many regions, strawberry farmworkers endure low wages and poor working conditions. Reports from 2018 in countries like Mexico and Spain highlighted that strawberry pickers often work long hours for minimal pay, without adequate protections or rights, raising significant social sustainability concerns.

Chemical Processing:

The commercial production of citric acid involves fermentation processes, which can lead to substantial industrial waste. This waste often includes leftover broth from the fermentation process, which must be carefully managed to prevent environmental contamination. Improper disposal could lead to algal blooms in waterways, disrupting aquatic life.

Land Use Change:

Sugar cultivation frequently leads to land use changes, including deforestation and conversion of natural habitats into agricultural land. This not only results in loss of biodiversity but also contributes to carbon emissions. For example, vast areas of forest in Brazil have been cleared for sugarcane plantations, impacting wildlife and contributing to global biodiversity loss.

These issues are intrinsically linked to the supply chain of the brand and warrant serious consideration to ensure both environmental and social responsibility in product production and sourcing.