Corona Beer Introducing Eco-friendly, Plastic-Free Six-Pack Carriers. (YES!)
Mexican lager brand Corona will pilot plastic-free six-pack rings which are made from plant-based biodegradable fibres, with a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials.
The brand said it sees an opportunity to help redesign a common source of plastic in the category.
Earlier this year, Carlsberg announced plans to ditch plastic rings which connect multi-packs of its beer and replace them with glue.
Corona said that if left in the environment, its six-pack rings break down into organic material that is not harmful to wildlife. It added that the industry standard plastic six-pack rings are made from a photodegradable form of polyethylene “that results in increasingly smaller pieces of plastic if not recycled”.
Although Corona is primarily packaged in glass and fiberboard, the brand sees an opportunity to help redesign a common source of plastic in the category: six pack rings. The plastic-free rings being tested are made from plant-based biodegradable fibers, with a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials. If left in the environment, they break down into organic material that is not harmful to wildlife, whereas the industry standard plastic six pack rings are made from a photodegradable form of polyethylene that results in increasingly smaller pieces of plastic if not recycled.
Although most plastic rings are recyclable, the reality is that the majority of all plastic ever created hasn’t been recycled, which is the motivation for brands like Corona to pursue solutions that avoid the material entirely.
The plastic-free rings will be piloted in the town of Tulum in Mexico next year, with plans to test in the UK later in the year. (And hopefully the world!)
Corona added that the move forms part of its commitment with non-profit organisation Parley for the Oceans.
Let’s hope that this initiative is wildly successful and that other large and small beer brands jump on board and can reduce plastic use and waste to make a cleaner, happier planet.
