We all love to enjoy a cold drink during the summer. Whether it is at an event, the pool or home, a crisp, refreshing beverage is just more convenient in a can. Usually, those convenient cans come in a six pack with recyclable, clear plastic rings. Improper disposal of these rings can result in the dumping of the plastic in our oceans. This can be problematic because it is harmful to marine life along with polluting our beautiful beaches.

Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Fla. created something that could be the beginning of the massive cleanup of our oceans. The innovative brewery produced the very first edible, biodegradable six-pack rings. According to the Saltwater Brewery website, the rings are made of byproducts—100 percent compostable— left from the beer making process. The Huffington Post explained that the byproducts are only barley and wheat. Even though the process is expensive, it is completely worth it.

In the brewery’s promotional video with WeBelievers, Mark Tokulka, a marine biologist, stated that “around the world, an estimated one million seabirds and a hundred thousand marine mammals and sea turtles [are] becoming trapped in plastic or [are ingesting it] and dying.”

The safe, biodegradable rings are the first step to eliminating pollution in the oceans. Instead of accumulating in the water, they are safe for marine life to enjoy. If more companies could get onboard with the rings, imagine what impact it could make. Saltwater Brewery’s creation is one step in keeping oceans clean so we can enjoy everything we love about our oceans and beaches.

By Chanel Hunter