Gumipod is a pocket-sized pack made from recyclable, food-grade plastic, with compartments for fresh and used gum.
£1m prize money
VOOM 2018 allows people in the UK and Ireland to pitch their business or bright idea to Richard Branson for the chance to win £1m.
Entries close on May 8, with a public vote on May 15 and 80 shortlisted entrants pitch to the judges, including Richard Branson, who then go into the semi-finals.
Middleton said its a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Gumipod and possibly the attract the attention of Richard Branson.
“I’ve got a really innovative idea and companies can advertise on the packaging. After a lot of hard work we’re in a position to develop the core business and drive sales,” he said.
“We hope to have Gumipod available in stores from September 2018 and we are finally distributing Gumipods to some of our long-time supporters. We would also like to offer samples to schools, clubs and businesses around the UK.”
The dad-of-two started Gumipod portable pod in 2011 after he saw a janitor struggling to clean gum out of a urinal.
He wanted to do something to reduce the amount of litter on our streets and with financing from the Prince’s Trust he created a pod for the toilets where people could dispose of gum – much like an ashtray stuck to a wall.
UK patent
He soon thought about a more portable package and has now gone public with the Gumipod after filing an application for a UK patent.
The polypropylene plastic pod can hold around 11 pellet pieces of gum and with a separate compartment for 25 pieces of used gum. The used gum compartment is made from non-stick materials and can be emptied into the trash.
“I believe in the importance of cleaning up our streets. Councils are strapped for cash right now and it would be better for them to reallocate the money on more important issues,” added Middleton.
“No more touching gum stuck under desks or getting stuck on your jeans or shoes. Gumipod is the world's first recyclable chewing gum packaging with integrated waste gum bin that means no matter where you are or what you are doing you can ethically dispose of your finished gum.
“Sandy Martin a UK Labour Member of Parliament for Ipswich estimates 2 million pieces of gum are dropped every day in the UK and reducing gum litter will allow this arduous and costly cleaning process to be avoided.
“Gumipod comes in three sugar-free flavors; white peppermint; pink bubblemint and black menthol. The design is compact and anticipating our next levels of research and development we have some great additions for the future. We hugely anticipate making our streets, pavements and public places a cleaner place for all."