Milan Dontje

Who is Milan Dontje?

I am Milan, 26 years old, and for the past three years, I have been the general director of the great brand BenBits. We produce plastic-free chewing gum in plastic-free packaging. I handle all operational aspects of the company. Since the company is still small, I take on a variety of roles. Additionally, I have always raced at a high level, from karting to motorsports, which I did for many years with great passion. I can proudly call myself a three-time Dutch karting champion and a European GT4 champion. However, due to my entrepreneurial journey, I had to give up racing—not just because of time constraints but also because I realized that racing is not sustainable and no longer aligns with modern times. Fortunately, motorsports are also undergoing a transition toward more sustainable racing, although I will not be participating in it myself.

Can you tell us about the history of BenBits?

BenBits is a chewing gum brand from the 1970s and 1980s that was reintroduced in the Netherlands in 2021. Back then, it was the first Dutch chewing gum without sugar. Due to various acquisitions, this wonderful brand unfortunately faded into obscurity, and no further development was done.

Now, nearly 50 years later, BenBits is making a comeback—not only sugar-free but also plastic-free. Since 2021, we have been the first Dutch plastic-free chewing gum brand. We discovered that many types of chewing gum contain large amounts of micro- and nanoplastics, which are unnecessary when using natural ingredients. That’s exactly what we have done. Today, our plastic-free chewing gum is available throughout the Netherlands and is recognizable by its unique turtle shape. In addition to being plastic-free, our gum is also vegan, free from artificial sweeteners and colorants, and contains only naturally derived ingredients. BenBits is still a small company, but due to its history, it already has strong brand recognition. Last year, we sold around 250,000 packs, and this year we hope to triple that number. If successful, we would account for about 3% of the Dutch chewing gum market, which is quite large.

What is BenBits doing to reduce the plastic footprint?

Our product is completely plastic-free, which is not the industry standard in the chewing gum sector. We believe in making better chewing gum. We now produce it in our new factory in Heerhugowaard. Previously, BenBits was manufactured in Italy, but we chose to move production to the Netherlands to maintain full control and reduce CO₂ emissions from transport. Our packaging is also plastic-free. With the help of the Plastic Soup Foundation, we have developed the best packaging made from recycled paper. We also financially support the Plastic Soup Foundation and actively participate in initiatives like World Cleanup Day.

Why do you think this is important?

What do you enjoy most about sustainable entrepreneurship?

I find entrepreneurship both enjoyable and challenging. Sustainable entrepreneurship makes it even more rewarding because, beyond making a profit, you also have a greater purpose. In our view, this allows you to achieve a "double" success.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to become more sustainable?

Just go for it! The more sustainable products that are produced, the more consumers will recognize the urgency of making sustainable choices—regardless of the industry. This also pushes large multinationals to make changes, as they will see this shift as a competitive threat.

What is one practical sustainability tip you often share with people?

One of the simplest tips I give is to use a reusable water bottle instead of constantly buying plastic bottles. Also, bring your own bag when shopping so you don’t need to purchase plastic bags.

What is the biggest misconception about sustainability that you would like to correct?

What do people really need to know about plastic pollution?

Many everyday products contain micro- and nanoplastics, which quickly end up in the environment. They are found in the most unexpected items. Be mindful of what you eat, what you put on your skin, and what you wear, and choose products without these microplastics. Since these particles are so tiny, the problem only becomes visible when it is already too late. You can use the Plastic Free Future app from the Plastic Soup Foundation to check for these plastics in products.

Where will BenBits focus on sustainability in the next 5 to 10 years?
We will continue our mission: a world without plastic in chewing gum. We want all of our competitors to go plastic-free as well. Additionally, we are constantly working on making our supply chain and sourcing more sustainable. There are often significant sustainability gains to be made in this area, and in relatively simple ways.