This six-pack ring may be a novelty solution to ocean plastic pollution. It's biodegradable and can serve as a snack to marine life.

As you already know, the world has a severe problem with plastics. According to recent statistics, we're dumping more than 8 million tons of plastics in the oceans every year.

The issue with plastics is that they take at least 450 years to decompose. At the same time, they are killing thousands of marine animals every day.

The major contributors to this epidemic are the six-pack plastic rings that are used in beers and soda packaging.

Where does marine plastic come from?

There are two sources for this waste. First is land-based pollution (such as plastic blown into the sea from a littered beach or washed into the sea by stormwater). The second one is ocean-based pollution (which comes from garbage disposed of at sea by ships).

When these six-pack rings are dumped into the ocean, they can tangle sea birds' wings, and choke seals.

According to Greenpeace:

"At least 267 different species are known to have suffered from entanglement or ingestion of marine debris including seabirds, turtles, seals, sea lions, whales, and fish. The scale of contamination of the marine environment by plastic debris is vast. It is found floating in all the world's oceans, everywhere from polar regions to the equator."

In an attempt to reduce plastic pollution, this Florida-based company has unveiled a biodegradable six-pack ring for packing their beer cans.

Saltwater Brewery, based in Delray, Florida, created an edible version of the plastic rings using the byproducts from the brewing process.

Biodegradable six-pack ring

Not only can these rings be eaten, they're actually food for sea creatures, too. Pretty cool, huh?

Ingredients including barley and wheat, which are then combined to create 100 percent edible, biodegradable and compostable packaging.

According to a video produced by the brand, an estimated 1 million sea birds and 100,000 marine animals and sea turtles become entrapped in plastic or ingest it and die.

Saltwater Brewery didn't want their six-pack rings to kill any more marine animals. So, instead of just talking about it, they created this eco-friendly ring.

Peter Agardy, head of the brand at the brewery, said:

"It's a big investment for a small brewery created by fishermen, surfers, and people that love the sea."

The company is hoping to inspire other brands to follow their lead and begin producing non-harmful packaging, too.

We love companies who think long-term and realize that without an intact environment, no amount of money will do anyone any good.