They are everywhere these days. You know, those little things attached to bottles and cans of soda pop, beer, or other packs of beverages. Soft Plastic 6 pack rings have been with us for over 50 years and they don’t seem like anything special. However, there are a few things about these rings of plastic which may surprise you, or at least make you think.
Photodegradable
Low density polyethylene is created to be highly resistant to corrosion and a variety of chemicals. It will withstand a great deal of caustic environments. You would think something like this would stay in landfills for many years. However, LDPE has a built-in Achilles heel.
Those soft plastic 6 pack rings will eventually break down over time, because they are photodegradable. Photodegradable means sunlight will cause them to degrade and break down. Eventually, they will break apart. In fact, a law was passed over 20 years ago, making this characteristic mandatory.
Recyclable
LDPE is a number 4 recyclable material. This means it can be recycled. However, not all communities accept number 4 plastic for recycling. You’ll need to check with your local recycling center to find out. If so, there’s no need to throw old 6 pack rings in the trash so they can make their way to the landfill.
Pillows
Did you know a plastic bottle once covered with 6 pack rings could be inside your pillow? Some types of pillow fillers are made with recycled soda pop bottles. However, the pillow filler is designed to be soft and pliable and can actually be much better for you than feathers or down, especially if you have an allergy.
Not So New
Modern day 6 pack rings may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, but this is not the case. The six pack ring first saw use back in 1960, in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the year a young senator from Massachusetts (John Kennedy) announced he was going to run for President of the United States. Elvis Presley was promoted to Sergeant, in the US Army, and the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys entered the NFL.
A Better Solution
Although those soft 6 pack rings have a long history and are still in use today, many companies are turning to a greener solution with a multitude of benefits. It involves using high density polyethylene for 6 pack and multipack products. They can be custom made and are simple to apply. Plus, you can pack your products in a variety of colorful options, and all are eco friendly.
