Company Releases Edible Six-Pack Rings That Aim To Feed Turtles Instead of Kill Them
You’ve probably seen quite a few of the heartbreaking pictures of turtles and others creatures caught in plastic six-pack rings.
Even when cut up, these plastic rings can be ingested and become deadly to unsuspecting marine wildlife.
But recently, one company has found an eco-friendly solution that not only biodegrades much quicker than its plastic counterpart, but is also not harmful if ingested.
E6PR is a startup that sought to reduce the amount of plastic going into oceans by coming up with an alternative solution to the problem-causing six-pack rings. The term “E6PR” stands for Eco Six Pack Ring.
Their aim was to produce a product that can biodegrade as soon as 200 days.
“Besides being 100% biodegradable, compostable, and edible, they have to be strong enough to hold the weight and typical handling of the cans,” Francisco Garcia, the company’s COO, said.
The rings are made up of by-product waste from the beer brewing process, mostly barley and wheat, as well as other materials that will decompose easily, which makes them edible.
This ensures that if a happy little marine animal decides to eat one of their six-pack rings, it won’t turn into a deadly situation.
While their barley and wheat-based product may sound like an tempting snack to pair with your brew, E6PR does not recommend it. “While its materials are non-harmful in case of ingestion, the product is not intended for human or animal consumption,” the website reads.
They say that the packaging may come into contact with materials that may be hazardous during storage and handling. They suggest consulting a physician in case of ingestion.
Still, this E6PR is much safer for marine wildlife than the original plastic rings.
At the moment, this innovative product is mostly found on the coast of Florida and in Michigan. Breweries like Saltwater Brewery and Final Gravity have used the eco-friendly rings for one or more of their most popular brews.
This company has not only found a way to reuse waste that would otherwise just be thrown away, but they have also found a way to keep marine wildlife just a little bit safer — one six-pack of beer at a time.
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