If you've noticed fewer plastic rings holding your six-packs together, there's a reason for that. Canada has banned single-use plastics, including six-pack rings, to reduce waste. Finding a sturdy, affordable, and practical alternative is now a necessity.
Paper products often get a bad rap (remember those paper straws?), but not all paper-based solutions are created equal, and it’s crucial to choose an option that’s usable and doesn't just create more waste, defeating the purpose.
Read Our Products and Application Guide >Plastic Ring Carrier Ban at a Glance
| Aspect |
Details |
| What's Out |
Plastic ring carriers |
| Important Dates |
Manufacture/Import Ban: June 20, 2023; Sale Ban: June 20, 2024; Export Ban: December 20, 2025
|
| Still Got Plastic Rings? |
Existing stocks can be used until depleted, but no new purchases allowed post-regulation change. |
| What Does This Affect? |
Primarily impacts beverage producers and sellers in Canada, necessitating a shift to alternative packaging solutions. |
Canada's ban on single-use plastics, including plastic ring carriers, is being phased in to reduce plastic pollution. This initiative started in December 2022 and aims to eliminate problematic plastics by the end of 2025. The ban impacts various items such as checkout bags, cutlery, and six-pack rings, pushing businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives. The goal is to decrease environmental impact and transition to recyclable or compostable options.
Read more: Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations: Overview - Canada.ca
Comparing Alternatives to 6-Pack Rings
| Aspect |
Plastic Rings (phasing out) |
Recycled Plastic Caps |
Cardboard/Paperboard Can Carriers |
Cartons |
| Image |
|
|
|
|
| Material |
LDPE Plastic |
Recycled HDPE Plastic |
Paperboard/Cardboard |
Multi-layer Paperboard |
| Ease of Recycling |
Difficult or Not Widely Accecpted |
May or may not be curbside recyclable, check local regulations |
Easily recyclable curbside (without plastic coatings) |
Can be recycled but may require special handling due to coatings |
| Cost |
Low initial cost, high environmental cost |
Higher cost |
Competitive |
Higher cost, due to material and processing |
| Applicator Options |
Manual and automated |
Manual and automated |
Manual, semi-automatic, and automatic |
Manual and automated |
| Pros |
Cheap, widely available |
Made from recycled materials, durable, can be reusable |
Easy to apply and recycle, can be customized |
High-quality printing, good protection, max. branding areas |
| Cons |
High environmental impact, difficult to recycle |
Expensive, not easily recyclable curbside, no branding options |
Perception of being flimsy, may have higher costs |
Higher cost, more material usage |
Cardboard Can Carriers
While some may see eco-friendly options create more problems than they solve, our cardboard carriers are practical and reliable.
One of the first questions we received was, 'Can these cardboard can carriers handle wet cans?' We decided to find out with a fun dunk test. While we're waiting for the official lab report from our supplier MARTEC, here's a simple and playful demo to show you how our carriers hold up in water. Spoiler: they're tougher than they look.
| MARTEC |
|
| Compatible Cans |
Standard Cans, Sleek Cans, Slim Cans (up to 500 mL / 16.9 oz) |
| Formats |
4-pack, 6-pack, 8-pack |
| Colorus |
Kraft Brown, Black, White, Customized Printing |
| MOQ |
1 Box (1000-1500 pcs per box depending on the format) |
| Applicators |
Manual/Handheld, Pneumatic, Automatic |
Applications
So, you’ve pulled the trigger and decided to switch to cardboard can carriers. But now you’re wondering, how do you actually apply them without disrupting your existing canning process? We’ve got three options tailored to your needs: manual/handheld, pneumatic, and automatic.
Manual / Handheld Applicator
Simple and straightforward, our 3D-printed handheld applicator is sturdy and easy to store. Just place a carrier into the mold, push until you hear that satisfying click, and you’re good to go.
For faster, less tiring application, pair it with a manual press. Perfect for smaller batches or if you’re just testing things out.
Pneumatic Applicator
Looking for something more hands-off? Our pneumatic applicator handles up to 36 cans per minute, taking care of the heavy lifting (or pushing in this case) so you don’t have to.
It’s a reliable option that keeps things moving efficiently.
Automatic Applicator
When speed is key, our automatic applicator is built to keep up. Made from stainless steel, it can handle up to 250 cans per minute, mostly hands-off.
And depending on where you’re located, the cost might even be cheaper than labour, especially if it matches your canning schedule and speed.
If you are browsing around, you may come across similar cardboard can carriers alternatives, and you’ve probably already noticed that our can carriers actually cover the entire top of the cans. This prevents dust and other debris from getting into the cans during transport while providing maximum space for branding. The MOQ will vary based on your needs, so please contact us for more details.
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