Canada’s Plastic Ring Ban - What It Means for Beverage Companies

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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.

Can Cardboard Can Carriers Handle Wet Cans? We Put Them to a Splashy Test

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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

how to apply cardboard can carriers 6 pack manual handheld Martec-Can-Carrier-Applicator-TH1-new

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.

Demo Video: TH1 Manual Press - 6-pack Standard Can Carrier Applicator

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.

Demo Video: TH24 Pneumatic Can Carrier Applicator

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.

Demo Video: TH39 Automatic Can Carrier Applicator

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.