Maya Ellison
Plastic six-pack rings are a common form of packaging for beverages, but they can be harmful to wildlife if they end up in public spaces and waterways. They are often made from low-quality plastic, which is difficult to recycle. However, it is important to recycle them properly to avoid causing harm to animals. There are several ways to recycle these plastic rings, including dropping them off at local breweries or beverage stores, mailing them back to the manufacturer, or recycling them with other plastic film, such as plastic bags, at select grocery stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | LDPE #4 plastic |
| Recyclable | Yes, but not through single-stream curbside recycling |
| Recycling options | Recycling centers, mailing, supermarket/municipality transfer station, smaller breweries |
| Environmental impact | Harmful to wildlife if leaked into the environment |
| Weight | Very light |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting them into pieces before recycling
Plastic six-pack rings are dangerous to wildlife, especially birds, turtles, and fish, which can get stuck in them and die. Even if you properly recycle them, they may end up in a landfill, so it is recommended to cut them into pieces before recycling.
If you have rigid plastic six-pack rings, you can check if there is a local brewery or beverage store that collects them for recycling. For example, PakTech offers to take back their rings for recycling and has drop-off locations, mostly at craft beer stores. However, their recycling map is often inaccurate outside of the Eugene, Oregon area.
If you have the flimsy film type of six-pack rings, you can check with your local supermarket to see if they have a plastics drop-off program that would accept these. Some supermarkets accept plastic #2 and #4 bags and other plastic film for recycling, and the six-pack rings are made from the same type of plastic.
If you have a large quantity of six-pack rings, you can mail them to Avangard Innovative in Waller, Texas. They offer a free USPS shipping label, and it is more cost-effective to send a larger number of rings at once. Alternatively, you can participate in the Hi-Cone Ring Leader program, which accepts the six-pack rings in large quantities for recycling through various school programs or by mail.
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Returning them to a local brewery
Plastic six-pack rings are often disposed of carelessly, polluting public spaces and waterways and endangering wildlife. They are made of plastic #4 (LDPE) and can be recycled in programs that accept low-density polyethylene resin. However, they cannot be put in with regular recycling as they are considered contaminants and can cause problems at recycling facilities.
If you want to return your plastic six-pack rings to a local brewery, there are a few options. Firstly, you can check if there is a local co-op or program in your area that facilitates the return and recycling of these items. For example, in Chicago, there is the Chicagoland Can Carrier Reuse and Recycling Co-op, which is made up of nearly 30 craft breweries and bottle shops dedicated to keeping the plastic packing out of landfills. Similarly, in Massachusetts, there is a map of verified can carrier collection locations where consumers can return them for reuse or proper recycling. There are also affiliate programs in Vermont, Rhode Island, and other New England states.
If there is no formal program in your area, you can try contacting local breweries directly to see if they would be willing to accept your plastic six-pack rings for reuse or recycling. It is worth noting that smaller breweries may be more receptive to this idea, as they often have more flexibility and a greater incentive to drive change. When contacting breweries, be sure to mention that you are interested in returning the rings for reuse or recycling, as this will help keep them out of landfills and reduce the need for new carriers to be manufactured.
Additionally, you can look for alternative packaging options that are more eco-friendly. For example, PakTech carriers are made of post-consumer recycled plastic and are labeled as 100% recyclable. While they may not be accepted by all recycling programs, some local breweries may have the capability to recycle them properly.
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Mailing them to a recycling company
Plastic six-pack rings are typically made of LDPE, or plastic #4, which is the same material used for plastic bags. This type of plastic is considered a contaminant by many recycling facilities and can cause problems with their equipment. As a result, these rings cannot be placed in regular recycling bins.
To recycle plastic six-pack rings, you can consider mailing them to a recycling company that accepts this type of plastic. One such company is Avangard Innovative in Waller, Texas, which appears to be called NaturaPCR following its acquisition by Waste Management in 2022. To mail in your plastic six-pack rings, follow these steps:
- Collect a large quantity of plastic six-pack rings.
- Find a box or envelope that can fit the collected rings.
- Print a free USPS shipping label from the RingRecycleMe program website.
- Fill out the Merchandise Description box on the USPS website, indicating that the package contains ring carriers.
- Choose the appropriate size label for your box or envelope.
- Affix the shipping label to the largest side of the package, ensuring that the label information does not wrap around any edges and that all edges are secured. Do not photocopy the label, as each one is unique.
- Mail the package at a post office or drop it into a collection box.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your plastic six-pack rings are properly recycled, helping to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
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Recycling with plastic bags at the grocery store
Plastic six-pack rings are typically made from low-quality plastic, specifically LDPE, also known as #4 plastic. This type of plastic is rarely accepted by curbside recycling programs and can cause contamination if mixed with other recyclables. To properly recycle plastic six-pack rings, consider the following options:
Some supermarkets have plastic bag recycling programs that accept #4 plastic bags and other plastic films, including six-pack rings. Before dropping off your six-pack rings, ensure that the grocery store has a plastic bag/plastic film recycling station, as not all stores offer this service. These recycling bins are usually located at the front of the store, near the entrance or exit. It is recommended to tie the plastic bags in knots before placing them in the recycling bin to prevent them from billowing up and posing a danger to birds if they escape from the bin.
Additionally, it is important to note that plastic bags and six-pack rings should be cut open before disposal to prevent animals from getting trapped in them if they escape from trash bags or trucks.
Other Recycling Options
If your local grocery store does not have a plastic bag recycling program, you can explore the following alternatives:
- Manufacturer Take-Back Programs: Some manufacturers, such as Hi-Cone, offer take-back programs like RingRecycleMe, where you can mail in a box or envelope of six-pack rings for recycling.
- Breweries and Smaller Businesses: Smaller breweries or businesses may accept six-pack rings for reuse or recycling. For example, PakTech recycles six-pack rings into new products in the Eugene, Oregon area.
- School and Community Programs: Participate in community initiatives, such as the Hi-Cone Ring Leader Recycling Program, which collects six-pack rings through various school programs and mail-in options.
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Dropping them at a local PakTech recycling location
Plastic six-pack rings are often carelessly disposed of, polluting public spaces and waterways and endangering wildlife. They are made of plastic #4 (LDPE) and can be recycled in programs that accept low-density polyethylene resin.
PakTech is a company that offers a recycling program for its products, which are made from 100% recycled HDPE and are, in turn, 100% recyclable. PakTech's products can be recycled into items such as composite lumber, flower pots, pipes, park benches, and new PakTech products. The company has a website with a recycling drop-off location finder to help you find your nearest drop-off point. PakTech's recycling map is most accurate for locations in the Eugene, Oregon area, where the company is based, and may be inaccurate in other parts of the U.S.
If you are located near Eugene, Oregon, you can drop off your plastic six-pack rings at a local PakTech recycling location. PakTech's website provides a recycling map to help you find your nearest drop-off point. It is important to note that PakTech's recycling map may be inaccurate for locations outside of the Eugene, Oregon area.
When dropping off your plastic six-pack rings at a local PakTech recycling location, it is recommended to follow any specific instructions provided by the company or the recycling center. This may include guidelines on how to prepare the plastic six-pack rings for recycling, such as cleaning or sorting them into specific categories. Properly preparing your recyclables can increase the chances of them being successfully recycled.
By dropping off your plastic six-pack rings at a local PakTech recycling location, you can help ensure that these plastic materials are properly recycled and repurposed into new products, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic six-pack rings are made of LDPE, or #4 plastic. They can be recycled in programs that accept low-density polyethylene resin. If your local curbside recycling program is limited to plastics #1 and #2, consider getting a group collection together and participating in the Hi-Cone Ring Leader Program, which accepts the rings in large quantities for recycling through various school programs and via mail. You can also check if your local supermarket has a plastic drop-off program or look for a PakTech drop-off location, as PakTech recycles the rings into new PakTechs.
Plastic six-pack rings can be harmful to wildlife when leaked into the environment, even if they are photodegradable. They break down into microplastics that are often consumed by marine life and birds.
It is recommended that you cut the rings into pieces before recycling to reduce the risk of them getting stuck on a bird or other animal. It is also a good idea to tie a knot in the ring before recycling so that if it ends up getting blown out of a recycling bin, it won't billow up and pose a danger.
Some craft brewers have started using new rigid plastic can carriers, which are made from recycled plastic milk jugs and allow six-packs to be stacked on top of each other without needing additional shrink-wrap plastic or cartons.
