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Edible Six-Pack Rings
There has much talk about plastic straws and their harmful effects on the environment. But much like the straws, plastic six-pack rings are also enemies of the ocean. While straws and six-pack rings account for only a tiny fraction of all the plastic trash in the ocean, images of marine animals tangled up in the rings have sparked public backlash against these common items. The soft but tough plastic rings are transparent which means that in the water animals don’t even see them. They end up tangled in the loops, which can cut into their skin and constrict parts of their bodies, leading to serious injury or death. Birds, turtles, and otters are among the frequent victims of six-pack rings.
Plastic straws have readily available alternatives such as paper
straws and reusable straws. But the
plastic rings that have been available for more than 40 years are not as easy
to replace. By law, six-pack rings are
photo-degradable, so they do gradually disintegrate when exposed to direct
sunlight. But even then, they remain
quite dangerous at least for a while.
The Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Florida, recently has released
edible six-pack rings, representing a brand-new approach to sustainable beer
packaging. The rings are 100%
biodegradable and edible. They are
actually made from barley and wheat ribbons from the brewing process. This packaging can be safely eaten by animals
that may come into contact with them in the wild.
Producing the edible rings represents a big investment for a small
brewery but the company hopes to influence larger brewers and inspire them to
get on board with the safer packaging.
**********
Web Links
Saltwater Brewery Creates Edible Six-Pack Rings
Photo courtesy of Saltwater Brewery.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
View all episodes
By Randy Simon
4.7
1515 ratings
There has much talk about plastic straws and their harmful effects on the environment. But much like the straws, plastic six-pack rings are also enemies of the ocean. While straws and six-pack rings account for only a tiny fraction of all the plastic trash in the ocean, images of marine animals tangled up in the rings have sparked public backlash against these common items. The soft but tough plastic rings are transparent which means that in the water animals don’t even see them. They end up tangled in the loops, which can cut into their skin and constrict parts of their bodies, leading to serious injury or death. Birds, turtles, and otters are among the frequent victims of six-pack rings.
Plastic straws have readily available alternatives such as paper
straws and reusable straws. But the
plastic rings that have been available for more than 40 years are not as easy
to replace. By law, six-pack rings are
photo-degradable, so they do gradually disintegrate when exposed to direct
sunlight. But even then, they remain
quite dangerous at least for a while.
The Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Florida, recently has released
edible six-pack rings, representing a brand-new approach to sustainable beer
packaging. The rings are 100%
biodegradable and edible. They are
actually made from barley and wheat ribbons from the brewing process. This packaging can be safely eaten by animals
that may come into contact with them in the wild.
Producing the edible rings represents a big investment for a small
brewery but the company hopes to influence larger brewers and inspire them to
get on board with the safer packaging.
**********
Web Links
Saltwater Brewery Creates Edible Six-Pack Rings
Photo courtesy of Saltwater Brewery.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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