The popular beer company Corona is to become the first global brand to trial fully plastic-free six-pack can rings. According to Beverage Daily, Corona is set to trial rings made from plant-based, biodegradable fibers.
Made from a combination of compostable materials and by-product waste, the rings will break down into organic material once discarded, posing no threat to wildlife – unlike commonly used plastic rings.
Corona believes that the best way to tackle plastic pollution is to find alternatives to producing it in the first place. The brand said in a statement, “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.”
Launching first in the Mexican town of Tulum in early 2019, the trial will then move to the UK.
This is not Corona’s first venture to improve the state of the world’s oceans. The brand has collaborated with Parley for the Oceans, a global network which works with major organizations like Adidas, American Express, and the UN to address threats to the ocean ecosystem.
Evan Ellman, Corona’s Better World Director, explained, “The beach is an important part of Corona’s DNA and we have been working with Parley to address the issue on the frontlines where plastic is physically accumulating.”
According to Corona, half of all plastic was produced in the last 13 years alone, and production continues to grow, “right when it should be scaling down. Paradise needs our protection.”
The brand hosted a beach clean-up in the Dominican Republic where 500 volunteers gathered around two tons of plastic. For Oceans Day, Corona also launched a “The Paradise?” shirt made from Parley Ocean Plastic to prove that “we can give new life to the plastic found in our oceans.”
Corona has also spoken out against discarded fishing nets, known as ghost nets, which threaten sea life. Backing innovation to upcycle the nets into new plastic products, the beer brand is on a “mission is to ensure that our pristine beaches remain pristine for generations to come.”
Ellman said that the brand “recognize[s] the influence a global brand like Corona can have on the industry, and with the support of Parley, are pursuing scalable solutions like plastic-free six-pack rings that can become a new standard to avoid plastic for good.”
Image credit: Corona
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