You Can Now Get Sustainable Six Pack Rings That Sea Turtles Can Eat in Florida
How to be more environmentally friendly and clean up the oceans one six pack of beer at a time
By Alex St Cyr on Jun. 06, 2019
Saltwater Brewery’s Biodegradable Beer Rings a Breath of Fresh Air
When you picture six-pack rings for beer and sea turtles, it usually isn’t a pretty picture. But what if we told you that sea turtles now have an opportunity to eat the six-pack rings that hold your beer? A revolutionary new beer ring system is making that scary idea for marine life into a positive reality.
A local brewing company in Florida, called Saltwater Brewery, a craft microbrewery in the Delray Beach area, is responsible for the development of these new, ocean-friendly rings. Saltwater Brewery partnered with E6PR, a startup which is short for Eco Six Pack Rings, and the hope is that other brewing companies adopt these new rings.
These biodegradable rings, which look to be made out of a cardboard material, are made from a wheat and barley composition and woven together to create a durable material capable of hanging onto to your precious beers, all while serving our oceans a little better.
Why Do We Need Sustainable Beer Ring Solutions?
Plastic pollution is rampant in the Gulf of Mexico, with the area having one of the highest concentrations of marine plastic in the world. Recent research also indicates that approximately 95 percent of marine plastics come from land usage and improper recycling.
Sustainability in the Beer Industry
Beer brands that use environmentally friendly and biodegradable packaging
Saltwater Brewery isn’t the first to adopt plastic-free rings, as beer giants Corona and Carlsberg have also tested out new methods of storing and transporting beer.
Corona
Corona’s new beer ring system involves plant-based biodegradable rings, which are made out of waste and other compostable materials. As part of a partnership with Parley for the Oceans, Corona began rolling out these biodegradable systems in Mexico and the UK in late 2018. You can learn more about their partnership and the initiative here.
Carlsberg
Carlsberg began getting rid of rings altogether, instead gluing their beer cans together in an effort to cut down on waste. This innovation was celebrated with the 2018 World Beverage Innovation Award!
There are many brewing companies working towards sustainable solutions as the environment comes to the forefront of everyone’s concern, so the next time you have the option, check out one of these innovations – you could be feeding a turtle and cleaning up the oceans at the same time!
Interested in more articles about beer and environmentally friendly solutions? Check these articles out:
5 Cool Sustainability Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Craft Beer Market
Kinkajou Beer Bottle Cutter: How to Make Glasses Out of Beer Bottles