Corona has become the first global beer brand to trial 100 per cent plastic-free six-pack rings. Piloted in Mexico at the beginning of the year, the company plans to test in the United Kingdom next year.

The change is part of the brand’s partnership with Parley for the Oceans to lead the industry with eco-friendly packaging. The partnership began with a commitment to protect 100 islands by 2020 and has expanded to include the pursuit of scalable innovation that can change the status quo.

Since the partnership launched in 2017, Corona and Parley have conducted over 300 clean-ups in over 15 countries, with over seven thousand volunteers from more than two hundred locations participating in the project, totalling in more than three million pounds of plastic waste collected.

“Our oceans are under attack. We are taking their life in rapid speed, destroying the chemistry that allows us to be here. We share the goal of phasing plastic out for good because we simply can’t afford its toxic impact anymore.” Said Cyrill Gutsch, founder and CEO, Parley for the Oceans.

The plastic-free rings being tested are made from plant-based biodegradable fibres, with a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials, and they break down into organic material that is not harmful to wildlife. 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.

Evan Ellman, Corona Better World Director, noted: “We also recognise 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.”

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