Omar Khalid
Six-pack rings, also known as six-pack yokes, are plastic connectors used to hold together multi-packs of beverage cans, particularly six-packs. They are made from HDPE #2 plastic and LDPE #4 plastic, and have been a source of concern due to their negative impact on the environment, especially marine life. Despite some states implementing laws banning non-degradable ring carriers, they continue to be produced and contribute to marine litter. To address this issue, some companies have developed eco-friendly alternatives, such as biodegradable and compostable rings or using glue instead of plastic rings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Six-pack rings or six-pack yokes |
| Description | A set of connected plastic rings that are used in multi-packs of beverages, particularly six-packs of beverage cans |
| History | Invented in the 1960s and completely replaced paper and metal-based holders within 10 years. Recognized as a form of marine litter since the late 1970s. |
| Environmental Impact | Contributes to marine litter and poses a threat to wildlife, including birds, turtles, and fish. |
| Recycling | Not widely recyclable, especially in curbside recycling programs. Some specialized recycling programs or manufacturers may accept them for recycling. |
| Alternatives | Paperboard baskets, LDPE plastic can carriers, cardboard boxes, and eco-friendly biodegradable and compostable rings. |
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What You'll Learn
Six-pack rings/yokes
Six-pack rings, also known as six-pack yokes, are sets of connected plastic rings used to hold multi-packs of beverages, most commonly six-packs of cans. They were invented in the 1960s and quickly replaced paper and metal-based holders within a decade.
Despite their convenience, six-pack rings have gained notoriety due to their harmful impact on the environment, particularly marine life. Since the late 1970s, they have been recognised as a form of marine litter that can entangle and strangle animals. In 1988, volunteers cleaning an Oregon beach collected 1,500 six-pack rings in just a few hours. The story of Peanut, a freshwater turtle rescued from a six-pack ring that deformed her shell, illustrates the danger these rings pose to wildlife.
To address these concerns, some countries and states have implemented laws banning non-degradable ring carriers. Vermont was the first US state to do so in 1977, and by 1991, 27 other states had followed suit. In 1994, the US Federal Regulation proposed that all plastic ring carriers be made of naturally degradable materials. Manufacturers have responded by using photodegradable materials, which can take months to break down. However, photodegradable does not mean biodegradable, and plastic can still persist in the environment as microplastics, ingested by animals.
To mitigate the environmental impact of six-pack rings, some companies have developed eco-friendly alternatives. In 2010, Saltwater Brewery created biodegradable and compostable rings made from wheat and barley by-products, which are even safe for wildlife to eat. In 2018, Carlsberg Breweries introduced a new type of glue to hold their beers together instead of plastic rings. These innovations demonstrate a growing awareness of the need to reduce the use of harmful plastic packaging.
While the shift towards more sustainable options is encouraging, the best way to prevent plastic pollution is to reduce plastic consumption altogether. Consumers can play a role by choosing beverages packaged in glass bottles or cardboard boxes, which are recyclable and reusable, instead of cans held together by plastic rings. Additionally, cutting each plastic ring before disposal can help prevent entanglement and save marine animals from harm.
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Marine litter
Plastic connectors, commonly known as six-pack rings or yokes, have been used to hold beverage cans together since the 1960s. While convenient, these plastic rings have gained notoriety for causing marine debris that entangles wildlife. As early as 1977, the state of Vermont in the US banned non-degradable ring carriers, and by 1991, 26 other states had followed suit.
The issue of plastic pollution and marine litter has emerged as a pressing environmental challenge. Plastics make up a significant portion of marine litter, with estimates suggesting that more than eleven million metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. This relentless production and disposal of plastic materials have turned our planet into a dumping ground for an alarming array of plastic debris, threatening marine life, the food chain, human health, and the delicate balance of aquatic environments.
Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of persistent plastics, are easily ingested by marine organisms and can accumulate toxic chemicals. These toxins can then be passed up the food chain, potentially impacting human health. The Mediterranean Sea, for example, has become a critical zone for plastic accumulation due to its semi-closed hydrodynamics and inadequate waste management.
To combat plastic pollution, the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) was formed in 2012 to coordinate and scale worldwide efforts. While clean-up can be effective in limited zones, preventing litter from entering waterways in the first place is more cost-effective and practical. Biodegradable alternatives, such as eco-friendly rings and glue instead of plastic rings, are also being developed to reduce the environmental impact of plastic connectors.
As an individual, you can contribute to tackling this issue by cutting the circular loops of plastic connectors before disposal to prevent entanglement. Additionally, supporting companies that use eco-friendly packaging alternatives and advocating for improved waste management practices can help curb the flow of plastic litter into our oceans.
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Biodegradable alternatives
The plastic connectors used for soda cans, commonly known as six-pack rings or six-pack yokes, have come under scrutiny due to their harmful impact on the environment, especially marine life. While some manufacturers have switched to alternative packaging like paperboard baskets and LDPE plastic can carriers, there is also a growing demand for biodegradable options. Here are some biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastic six-pack rings:
Cardboard Packaging: Cardboard boxes are recyclable and biodegradable, making them a more environmentally friendly choice than plastic. Some craft breweries, like 21st Amendment in California, exclusively use cardboard boxes for their beer cans, opting for recycled paper whenever possible. Cardboard packaging is also popular in countries like Australia and France, reducing the environmental footprint of beverage packaging.
Eco-Friendly Rings: In 2010, Saltwater Brewery developed biodegradable and compostable rings made from barley. These rings are safe for wildlife to ingest, addressing the issue of plastic pollution harming marine animals. This innovative solution demonstrates that sustainable alternatives to plastic connectors are feasible and commercially viable.
Photodegradable Material: In response to legislation mandating the use of degradable materials for plastic ring carriers, some manufacturers have adopted photodegradable materials. While it can take months for these materials to break down, they represent an improvement over non-degradable plastic, which can persist in the marine environment for decades. Photodegradable options are a step towards reducing the longevity of plastic pollution in our oceans.
Glue Instead of Plastic Rings: Carlsberg Breweries introduced a unique approach to eliminating plastic rings by developing a special glue that holds their beer cans together. This innovative solution, which took three years to perfect, completely eliminates the need for plastic connectors, showcasing the potential for creative alternatives to traditional packaging methods.
Recycled Plastic Carriers: While not entirely biodegradable, some companies like PakTech offer recyclable plastic carriers made with a high percentage of recycled plastic. Their CanCarrier product, for example, is made with 96% recycled plastic and reduces the need for additional packaging like shrink-wrap or cartons during shipping. This approach promotes the circular economy and reduces the overall environmental impact of beverage packaging.
These biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic soda connectors demonstrate a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability within the beverage industry. By adopting these options, manufacturers can reduce their environmental footprint, minimize harm to wildlife, and meet consumer demands for more responsible packaging solutions.
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Cutting the loops
Six-pack rings, also known as six-pack yokes, are sets of connected plastic rings used to hold multipacks of beverages, especially six-packs of cans. They have been recognised as a form of marine debris since the 1970s, with the first law banning non-degradable ring carriers enacted in Vermont in 1977. By 1991, 26 other states had followed suit.
To prevent wildlife entanglement, it is recommended that each loop be cut before disposal. This simple action can help prevent birds, turtles, and fish from getting caught in the plastic loops. In fact, during a cleanup of an Oregon beach in 1988, volunteers collected 1,500 six-pack rings in just a few hours, highlighting the need for proper disposal.
While some manufacturers have transitioned to using photodegradable materials, these can still take months to break down and contribute to microplastic pollution. Biodegradable and compostable alternatives, such as those developed by Saltwater Brewery in 2010, are more environmentally friendly. Carlsberg Breweries also introduced a new type of glue in 2018 to hold their beers together instead of plastic rings.
To further reduce the environmental impact of six-pack rings, recycling is an option, but it is important to note that these plastic rings are not typically accepted in curbside recycling programmes. Instead, they can be recycled in large quantities by delivering them to a plastics recycling processor. Alternatively, some supermarkets or municipality transfer stations offer plastic film recycling services, or they can be mailed back to the manufacturer through free programmes like RingRecycleMe.
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Recycling
Six-pack rings, also known as six-pack yokes, are sets of connected plastic rings used to hold multi-packs of beverages, particularly six-packs of cans. They were invented in the 1960s and, within a decade, had completely replaced paper and metal-based holders.
Since the 1970s, six-pack rings have been recognised as a form of marine debris that entangles wildlife. In 1988, 1500 six-pack rings were picked up by volunteers during a cleanup of an Oregon beach. The production of plastic rings also uses fossil fuels. These factors have led to the development of more eco-friendly alternatives, such as paperboard baskets and LDPE plastic can carriers. In 1977, the US state of Vermont passed the first law banning non-degradable ring carriers, and by 1991, 27 other states had followed suit.
To recycle six-pack rings, it is recommended to cut each loop before disposal to prevent entanglement. The rings are typically made from photodegradable LDPE #4 plastic, which can be recycled if turned in at a supermarket or municipality transfer station that offers plastic film recycling. Some manufacturers also offer free recycling programs, such as the RingRecycleMe program, where consumers can mail back the plastic rings with no postage charge. Alternatively, they can be recycled with other plastic film, like plastic bags, which some supermarkets accept. However, it is important to note that even photodegradable plastic breaks down into microplastics that can be consumed by marine life.
Some local breweries and beverage stores in certain states, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Chicago, have organised to take back can holders for recycling. Additionally, PakTech provides a recycling map for drop-off locations in the Eugene, Oregon area, where they recycle plastic can toppers into new PakTechs. While these options exist, it is important to note that the shape of six-pack rings may cause issues for recycling centers, as they can slip through disk screens and contaminate other materials.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic connectors that hold soda cans together are called six-pack rings, or six-pack yokes.
Yes, plastic six-pack rings have been recognized as a form of marine litter since the late 1970s. They can harm wildlife by getting tangled around animals. Even photodegradable plastic breaks down into microplastics, which are often consumed by marine life and birds.
Some alternatives to plastic six-pack rings include paperboard baskets, cardboard boxes, and LDPE plastic can carriers. In 2010, Saltwater Brewery developed eco-friendly rings that are biodegradable and compostable, and in 2018, Carlsberg Breweries announced the use of a new type of glue to hold their beers together instead of plastic rings.
