Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? [2024]

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution.
Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Modern chewing gum is made using non-biodegradable hydrophobic polymers, along with artificial sweeteners and flavours. After use, most people dispose of gum carelessly, creating ‘gum pollution’, a form of environmental litter. Globally, over 105 tonnes of plastic-like waste are generated each year from discarded chewing gum. Since gum base makes up 20–30% of chewing gum and is neither edible nor digestible, it acts like plastic, releasing flavours and sweeteners as it is chewed.

No statement here is absolute, which itself makes them more acceptable. Discarded chewing gum contributes to environmental pollution, and many chewing gums use synthetic, plastic-like polymers as the gum base. The important connection is that the presence of plastic makes chewing gum non-biodegradable and polluting.