Chewing gum is made from a gum base. Birds, animals and marine life may mistake chewing gum for food and ingest it, can lead to digestive problems and even death in wildlife. Gum that adheres to sidewalks, streets and other surfaces can be difficult to remove and significantly detracts from the cleanliness and aesthetics of an area. Chewing gum takes long time to break down in water, remain in the environment for years, contributing plastic pollution. Best way to dispose of chewing gum is to wrap it a piece of paper of tissue and throw it into a trash bin.