How to Recycle Plastic Beer Can Rings in Australia

You’ve probably seen the images: seabirds and marine animals entangled in plastic rings. Six-pack rings have become one of the most recognisable symbols of single-use plastic pollution. The good news is they don’t have to end up that way — BRAD accepts them for recycling.

Why beer can rings are a problem

Standard plastic beer can rings are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) — plastics that are technically recyclable, but almost never accepted at kerbside.

• Too flexible. Flexible plastics and film plastics jam conveyor belts and sorting machinery at standard recycling facilities. They’re the same category as plastic bags — accepted nowhere in your kerbside bin.
• Wildlife hazard. Even a single set of rings left intact and discarded can entangle wildlife. Cutting each ring before binning is a widely recommended minimum step to prevent harm if BRAD recycling isn’t possible.
• Volume. Beer, cider, and soft drink sold in multipacks generates significant volumes of ring packaging. Most of it currently goes to landfill.

How to collect and prepare beer rings for BRAD

• Keep a bag near the fridge or bar cart. Pull rings off immediately when you open a multipack and drop them in.
• Flatten them. Stacking and pressing rings flat dramatically reduces the space they take up in a BRAD box.
• Rinse if sticky. If beer has spilled onto the rings, a quick rinse prevents your BRAD box from getting sticky.
• If you can’t send to BRAD right away, cut all the loops. If you need to dispose of rings before you have a chance to collect for BRAD, cut each individual loop with scissors. This prevents any wildlife entanglement risk in case they escape from landfill.

How to recycle with BRAD

• Purchase a BRAD Pre-Paid Label. Labels are $18 for up to 2kg, or $30 for up to 4kg. Price includes postage and the full cost of recycling.
• Check your inbox. Within 2 hours you’ll receive an email with a form to complete. You’ll need your order number from your purchase confirmation. (If the email doesn’t arrive, contact info@banish.com.au.)
• Fill in the form and download your prepaid label. When you’re ready to send, complete the form and print or save your label.
• Pack and post. Attach the label to your box and drop it in a red Australia Post box or at your local post office.
• Track your parcel. You can follow its journey all the way to Banish.

BRAD Sydney drop-off: Prefer to drop off in person? Head to the Banish Sustainability Hub at Sydney’s Central Station. Open Tuesday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Drop-off costs $10 per 2kg.

What about cardboard multipacks?

Many Australian breweries have switched from plastic rings to cardboard multipack holders. These can go in your kerbside paper and cardboard recycling bin — a win for the environment without any specialist recycling needed. If you have the choice, buying beer in cardboard multipacks is the simplest option. For plastic rings, BRAD ensures they’re dealt with responsibly.

Industry change: what’s happening with six-pack rings?

A growing number of Australian breweries are voluntarily switching to cardboard multipacks, plant-based rings, or paper sleeves as consumer pressure mounts. Planet Ark and Clean Up Australia have both campaigned on this issue. The most sustainable choice is always to buy brands that have already made the switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can beer can rings be recycled in Australia?

Not through kerbside recycling. Plastic beer can rings are flexible plastics that jam sorting machinery. BRAD accepts them by post from anywhere in Australia.

Are six-pack rings really dangerous to wildlife?

Yes. Plastic rings can entangle seabirds, marine mammals, and fish. When discarded intact, they can drift to waterways and oceans even from landfill. If you must bin them rather than recycle, always cut every loop first.

What are beer can rings made of?

Most plastic six-pack rings are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) — technically recyclable plastics but not processable at kerbside due to their flexible, film-like nature.

Do all beer brands use plastic rings?

No. Many Australian breweries have switched to cardboard multipacks, which can go in your kerbside paper recycling bin. Check the packaging before buying if this matters to you.

How much does it cost to recycle beer rings with BRAD?

A BRAD label costs $18 for up to 2kg or $30 for up to 4kg, including postage and recycling. Sydney residents can drop off at the Banish Sustainability Hub at Central Station for $10 per 2kg.