WRIGLEY'S EXTRA

Introduction

Wrigley’s Extra is a renowned brand within the chewing gum industry, founded by William Wrigley Jr. in 1891. Initially, Wrigley started out selling soap and baking powder, offering chewing gum as a promotional item. However, the gum quickly garnered attention, leading Wrigley to pivot his business focus. Over the years, the brand has become synonymous with quality and freshness, embodying the founder's commitment to delivering enjoyable experiences that refresh and invigorate consumers.

The philosophy behind Wrigley’s Extra is centered around innovation, quality, and consumer satisfaction. The brand prioritizes offering products that not only please the palate but also support oral health. By promoting sugar-free options, Wrigley’s Extra aligns itself with a wellness-oriented lifestyle, making it a preferred choice among health-conscious individuals. The brand champions the little moments of joy and spontaneity that come with chewing gum, emphasizing the connection between its product and everyday experiences.

What makes Wrigley's Extra particularly special is its ability to combine flavor with purpose. With a variety of flavors and textures, the brand caters to diverse consumer preferences and empowers individuals to embrace fresh moments throughout their day. Moreover, Wrigley's Extra actively participates in various campaigns supporting sustainability and reducing environmental impact, reinforcing its dedication to not only satisfying consumers but also taking responsibility for the planet.

Signature Products

Wrigley's Extra offers a delightful range of chewing gum products that showcase the brand's commitment to flavor and quality.

• Extra Cool Green Mint : A refreshing mint flavor that provides long-lasting freshness and a cool sensation.
• Extra Peppermint : Classic peppermint flavor designed for a brisk and invigorating chewing experience.
• Extra Spearmint : Delivers a smooth and sweet spearmint taste, perfect for freshening breath.
• Extra Watermelon : A fruity and juicy flavor that adds a burst of freshness with every chew.
• Extra Bubble Gum : Combines the nostalgic bubble gum flavor with a soft chew, perfect for blowing bubbles.

Materials and Ingredients Used by WRIGLEY'S EXTRA

• Sorbitol : Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant in food products. In Wrigley's Extra, it is employed to provide sweetness without the calorie load of sugar, making the gum a lower-calorie alternative for consumers looking to reduce sugar intake.
• Turmeric : Turmeric is a spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant, known for its vibrant yellow color and potential health benefits. In the context of Wrigley's Extra, turmeric is used for flavoring and coloring, aligning with consumer preferences for natural ingredients in their gum products.
• Sugar : Sugar is a widely used sweetener that enhances the flavor of various food products. In Wrigley's Extra, sugar is included to provide a familiar sweetness and taste profile that many consumers enjoy, creating a balance with other ingredients in the gum.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying From WRIGLEY'S EXTRA

These issues are related to the supply chain of the brand and need to be taken into consideration:

Agricultural Impact:

Sorbitol is typically derived from corn or wheat. Intensive agriculture needed for these crops can lead to monocultures, which significantly reduce biodiversity. For instance, in the US, where much corn is grown, the reliance on monocultures damages ecosystems by diminishing habitats for various species. This also leads to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, requiring more pesticide use, which can harm local ecosystems and contaminate surrounding areas.

Energy Consumption in Processing:

The production of sorbitol involves several chemical processes that require significant energy inputs. This reliance on energy, often derived from fossil fuels, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. For example, the conversion of glucose derived from corn to sorbitol entails several manufacturing stages, necessitating the use of electricity and steam, which, if not sourced sustainably, add to carbon emissions.

Transportation Emissions:

The global supply chain for sorbitol involves multiple transportation stages, from raw material sourcing to the final product, which contribute to CO2 emissions. Transporting these ingredients internationally, whether by air, sea, or land, increases the carbon footprint significantly. For instance, transporting corn from the US to processing facilities in other countries involves emissions from logistics operations—fuel combustion from ships, planes, and trucks adds to the carbon footprint.

Deforestation:

Both turmeric and sugar production can contribute to deforestation. Expanding agricultural lands for turmeric farming in India, a leading producer, results in the clearing of forests, impacting biodiversity and carbon capture potential. Similarly, sugarcane plantations in places like Brazil and Southeast Asia are notorious for clearing large areas of tropical rainforest, leading to habitat loss and increased greenhouse gases from decomposing vegetation.

Water Usage:

Turmeric requires significant water for cultivation, which can strain local water sources, especially in regions with limited water availability during certain seasons. Over-extraction can lead to decreased water availability for local communities and wildlife. Meanwhile, sugarcane is one of the most water-intensive crops, exerting substantial pressure on water resources, leading to competition for water between agricultural users and other inhabitants of the area.

Soil Degradation:

Turmeric cultivation can involve practices that lead to soil degradation, such as overuse of fertilizers and continuous cropping without rest periods, leading to nutrient depletion. This decreases the soil's ability to support plant life and increases erosion risk. Poor soil health can have a cascading effect on local agriculture, ultimately reducing productivity over time.

Labor Conditions:

Labor conditions in turmeric and sugar industries can be precarious, often involving low wages, poor working conditions, and child labor. For instance, turmeric farming in India often subjects workers to minimal pay and exposure to harsh working environments, while sugarcane cutting in countries like Brazil and India historically has involved exploitative labor practices, sparking concerns about human rights violations.

Water Pollution:

Runoff from sugarcane fields often carries fertilizers and pesticides into local waterways, leading to water pollution. This runoff can contribute to eutrophication in water bodies, causing harmful algal blooms which negatively impact aquatic life and drinking water quality. This pollution becomes more severe in regions where environmental regulations and enforcement are lax.

Carbon Footprint:

Sugar production is associated with a hefty carbon footprint, stemming from multiple sources: land-use changes, agricultural practices, and transportation. Clearing forests for sugar cultivation releases stored carbon dioxide, and sugar processing factories often rely on non-renewable energy sources. This elevates the overall carbon emissions significantly, impacting global climate change.