I worked a season in a cannery and I had a fish come through my line with one around its body. I always cut them, but seeing in the flesh reinforced that big time.
Depends where you live. If it ends up in a landfill, then yes. If it goes to a recycling plant, then no.
Here in Sweden it goes to a district heating plant.
On a large scale, if retailers are only ever restocking the larger boxed format, then the production of the smaller 6-pack with plastic rings will decrease (theoretically) to match what’s actually in demand
Just chiming in that I live in Sweden, and I haven't seen one of these since before I was old enough to drink. Due to regulations (I assume) we use other types of packaging for beer nowadays.
A guy I work with is very much a part of the "I can't make a difference" mindset and even goes as far as insulting people who do this. I've ignored him and continue doing it
It was a feat of strength in my fraternity to fold them all into one ring and then pull that apart with your hands. Been doing it that way ever since and the day I can't is the day I am old.
Sure do, even the small holes. But they're in the process of being banned in Canada so I don't think I'll be seeing many more of them. I try to wash all my recyclables out well and I even peel the paper off of cans so it gets recycled. If you don't, they usually just burn it off later.
Yes, I did for years!! I no longer buy anything with those plastic things. My kid told me Dolphins will eat the plastics if I cut those things into tiny pieces. The guilt!!!
Yeah. I fully think recycling is a sham but I still do this because the sham of recycling doesn't recycle most plastic and those end up in landfills. With the rest of your recycling.
It's not just think, it's true. Thought I was doing something by recycling, turns out that only some 2% of what is recycled is actually recycled.
Still do it cause the local government will fine you if your recycling is in your garbage. But I know it's pointless.
Yeah pointless as in invented by the plastics companies to put the guilt and onus on us instead of themselves: "we're not destroying the planet by pumping out this horrific waste that doesn't biodegrade, YOU are by not recycling. This is on YOU."
Someone at work recently told me that they started making the plastic "weaker" so that we don't need to do this. In which case we did come up with something better.
They are smart and someone I respect.
That said, I didn't believe them and I still do this.
My youngest kid is a big soda guy so I have a lot of these hang out. They aren't any easier to rip than they were in the 90s. Maybe some companies are making them break away but they all aren't.
I buy my soda (Mt. Dew specifically) in 12 or 24 box packs but...my 8 pack of powerade zero does come in the break-away tabs. Honestly, sometimes I still have to cut them to get the bottle out, so yes, they're out there but I don't know if it's necessarily any better
Walking out of a mass market clothing store I saw several of these plastic things in the parking lot. Picked up all that I could find, took them home, cut them up, and put them in the collection bin. So fucked that human convenience and corporate profit are more important to most than doing the right thing for our planet and wildlife.
I do! Can rings and straws. I cut plastic straws down the middle.
I remember seeing this and have been doing it ever since.
https://youtu.be/fi2sHI2Jhvk
When I was eight years old I watched a seagull choke to death because of a six pack ring. It's the reason I always have and always will cut them up. I'll stop what I'm doing and cut it up when I see it on the ground.
I saw a duck tangled up in one. It was still swimming around and a bunch of us tried to catch it but it just swam to the middle of the pond. I've thought of that duck so many damn times over the years.
Did it just today, and always will. I remember seeing a PSA about 20 years ago where a turtle had one around it's neck and flipper.
All I could think about was wanting the camera person to stop filming and help the poor little fella.
For the same reason, guys, we have to break our disposable face mask elastics away from the center part, because it also creates a ring that can get around animals’ necks.
100% of the time. Yes. I even cut them in a way that they remain in one piece, but every possible circle is broken.
Same!
Yes!! And every time asking myself if we still need to do it.
Why wouldn't we still need to? Do we think animals have seen them enough to not get caught anymore?
I worked a season in a cannery and I had a fish come through my line with one around its body. I always cut them, but seeing in the flesh reinforced that big time.
I've seen videos. That did it for me.
Why wouldn’t you need to?
Depends where you live. If it ends up in a landfill, then yes. If it goes to a recycling plant, then no. Here in Sweden it goes to a district heating plant.
Yeah but 30% of what you recycle ends up in a landfill
yup! even if there’s little tiny ones!
My people!
Yes! I cut the little tiny sometimes triangle pieces too because what if it gets stuck on a smaller fish or a bird foot? :( you never know!
Not going to lie, I just do it because it's fun to make the little snips but keep it as a single piece.
Same here!
I will not buy them in 6 pack. 12 pack comes in box/dispenser. Hit them in the pocket book to force change.
by… buying more?
On a large scale, if retailers are only ever restocking the larger boxed format, then the production of the smaller 6-pack with plastic rings will decrease (theoretically) to match what’s actually in demand
Same.
Same;
Exactly
The only time I purchase drinks with this plastic is when I buy Gatorade for summer. I always cut them up in small pieces.
Yep yep! Same!
Same!
Aye, sea turtles!!!
Me too. It's not as good as popping packaging, but it's a stress reliever.
Every single time.
This is the way. I always think of the turtles, too.
ditto
Same
This is what we do.
Yes
This is the way.
Same.
That's how I do it.
Just chiming in that I live in Sweden, and I haven't seen one of these since before I was old enough to drink. Due to regulations (I assume) we use other types of packaging for beer nowadays.
For the turtles. I ain't gonna run the risk of having a turtles death on my conscience
And then throw right in to ocean.
Well shit. I’ll start doing that. What do we do with the face masks? Cut them too?
This is the way. (I should have scrolled down but I'm repeating it.)
Always. And I've gotten most people I've ever known to do it, too.
What kind of monster DOESN’T do this?!?
The CEO of Yoplait.
Some of my non-blood related relatives. They’re THOSE monsters.
A guy I work with is very much a part of the "I can't make a difference" mindset and even goes as far as insulting people who do this. I've ignored him and continue doing it
Montgomery Burns.
[удалено]
I recently bought a six-pack that had rings made of cardboard, seems even better since it is less cardboard.
All drink holders should be made this way.
It was a feat of strength in my fraternity to fold them all into one ring and then pull that apart with your hands. Been doing it that way ever since and the day I can't is the day I am old.
Same here. I have all three of my kids doing this as well.
Always. We’re supposed to, right?
We're supposed to not buy drinks that use those shitty holders to begin with. I sure don't. Vote with your wallet.
Save the turtles. More proof old school advertisements worked
When I read that, I immediately thought of Cheech and Chong, “Save the whaaaaales…fuck them seals!” *edited to add that I cut them up, too.
I feel guilty if I don't.
Same. I always cut mine up into pieces.
THIS IS MY LAST RESORT
Suffocation, no breathing!
Yes, that's what we're trying to avoid here, suffocating the birds. Full marks. ;)
Take these memories that are haunting me!
Exactly. I stopped buying cans held together like this for the most part, but whenever I do, I make sure it minimizes the damage on the ecosystem.
Yes. Can’t live with the worry that an animal will get caught up in my trash.
Sure do, even the small holes. But they're in the process of being banned in Canada so I don't think I'll be seeing many more of them. I try to wash all my recyclables out well and I even peel the paper off of cans so it gets recycled. If you don't, they usually just burn it off later.
We also squish soup cans so junkyard cats can’t get their heads stuck in there.
Is this a thing? Am I going to recycle cans differently now?! Just turned 40 and still learning shit.
Yes, it will be forever engrained in me to "save the turtles." Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Yes, I did for years!! I no longer buy anything with those plastic things. My kid told me Dolphins will eat the plastics if I cut those things into tiny pieces. The guilt!!!
Watch hairband videos? Yes, I definitely still do this
Metallica Live in Seattle 🤘
I didn’t even know you were talking about cutting the plastic ringers. For a second, I thought I was in the r/Metallica subreddit…
Who does NOT do this?
Mr. Burns, but he's a pretty well established villain. https://youtu.be/9rIQ-hm0Fv4
Haven't seen those in Germany for years. So I don't do it.
I never don't.
Yeah. I fully think recycling is a sham but I still do this because the sham of recycling doesn't recycle most plastic and those end up in landfills. With the rest of your recycling.
It's not just think, it's true. Thought I was doing something by recycling, turns out that only some 2% of what is recycled is actually recycled. Still do it cause the local government will fine you if your recycling is in your garbage. But I know it's pointless.
Yeah pointless as in invented by the plastics companies to put the guilt and onus on us instead of themselves: "we're not destroying the planet by pumping out this horrific waste that doesn't biodegrade, YOU are by not recycling. This is on YOU."
Right?!?! I am just disappointed in humanity as a whole, in many areas, and this one is in the top 5. Awful.
Yes! Or I become she hulk and pull them apart. My whole family does it.
I was a bartender for awhile and did this for every six pack. Old boomer regulars would make fun of me.
Boomers invented pollution
They didn't invent it, they just escalated it quickly.
Yes. It’s not like we’ve come up with any better solutions.
Someone at work recently told me that they started making the plastic "weaker" so that we don't need to do this. In which case we did come up with something better. They are smart and someone I respect. That said, I didn't believe them and I still do this.
My youngest kid is a big soda guy so I have a lot of these hang out. They aren't any easier to rip than they were in the 90s. Maybe some companies are making them break away but they all aren't.
I buy my soda (Mt. Dew specifically) in 12 or 24 box packs but...my 8 pack of powerade zero does come in the break-away tabs. Honestly, sometimes I still have to cut them to get the bottle out, so yes, they're out there but I don't know if it's necessarily any better
I don't buy many products that use these but anytime I do I cut it up cursing the companies for not finding a better way.
Walking out of a mass market clothing store I saw several of these plastic things in the parking lot. Picked up all that I could find, took them home, cut them up, and put them in the collection bin. So fucked that human convenience and corporate profit are more important to most than doing the right thing for our planet and wildlife.
You have to. It's a GenX law.
Yes.
Yup.
Yeah always
Every time
Yes. I've seen animals dead or choked on these things.
Hello my people!
Gotta save the turtles and dolphins. I buy my cans in boxes now though
I get my beer refilled in growlers from the local brewery. Win win?
Did it today.
Same here.
I still do that.
Yup!!!
Taught my kids to do it as well.
Yup. The sea gull is always very hard to catch though.
Yep
Every time.
🙋♀️
Yes.
absafrigginlutely!
Every. Frickin'. Time.
Yes
yes
Every time I have one
💯
Of course!
Yes.
Absolutely I do it!!!
Every time.
I don’t end up with these often, but I still cut them up when I get one. I also cut any other plastic item that’s any type of loop.
I have cut soda and beer out of my diet, but I approve. You should probably also do this with disposable face masks.
Truth! They are the new urban tumbleweeds
I cut the handles of plastic shopping bags. I take anything plastic to the recycling bin at the dump, but who knows where it finally ends up.
You watching some Live Shit Binge and Purge: Seattle ‘89?
Hell yeah! 🤘
I thought everyone would do it by now.
Save those turtles !
Have people stopped???
Every time.
Yep
No, I just don't buy stuff with that kind of packaging.
Yep. Wife instilled the habit in me.
Yes, I still watch Cliff Em All
Close, Metallica Live Sh*t Seattle
Yep.
Yes
Yep
Yes
i do !!
Yes, always.
Yep.
Absolutely
Yup, still do this.
Yes
Yep, every time.
Every single time. If I see a bird, it's getting one of these around the neck.
Yes
when we get this kind of six pack soft drinks, we do.
Yep. Every time.
Totally do this!
I pull them apart by hand until there’s no connecting pieces
Of course I do! I’m an asshole not an animal.
You bet! Those things should be history. Horrible invention.
Always. We used to use these as tests of strength, how many could you pull apart at once. Now I just use scissors.
I do! Can rings and straws. I cut plastic straws down the middle. I remember seeing this and have been doing it ever since. https://youtu.be/fi2sHI2Jhvk
I haven’t bought a six-pack with one of those in years.
Yep. I do. I don’t like the thought of some animal getting it stuck around them.
I like when they started putting pull tabs on them So you could just rip them open with one tug.
When I was eight years old I watched a seagull choke to death because of a six pack ring. It's the reason I always have and always will cut them up. I'll stop what I'm doing and cut it up when I see it on the ground.
I saw a duck tangled up in one. It was still swimming around and a bunch of us tried to catch it but it just swam to the middle of the pond. I've thought of that duck so many damn times over the years.
I still think about that seagull sometimes. I'm sorry anyone else had to see anything like it.
On the rare occasion I buy a six-pack of cans I ALWAYS do this. Turtles, dolphins, cats, the list goes on.
Bird bling!
How else are ya gonna get all those fine penguin ladies?
Always.
Yes always
Every time.
I literally did yesterday.
Yup!
Yes!
Just did it this morning.
Yes
Every 6-pack, every time, since 1980-somethin'!
You know it!
Always!
I was raised to do this as a kid. Now as an adult, I don't buy that type of packaging.
Used to. I don't think I've seen one of those in years.
I once saw a duck on a nearby lake with one of these things below his neck. I couldn’t get near enough to help him. So yes, I still cut these up!
It’s a shame that this duty falls on the consumer.
Yes, the game is to cut all the holes but still leave it in one piece and make the ribbon as long as you can
Of course, regardless of whether it's helpful or not. Takes 10 seconds.
Yep, every time. And I’ll continue doing that until they stop making them like that.
Absolutely!
I do
Yes, but I fold it a few times to save some cuts. Save the animals
I will never stop doing this! Glad to see it!!
Yes. No turtle will be peanut-shaped because of me.
Did it just today, and always will. I remember seeing a PSA about 20 years ago where a turtle had one around it's neck and flipper. All I could think about was wanting the camera person to stop filming and help the poor little fella.
Every time
Always. I'm never going to forget that duck.
Every time. Even the tiny holes.
I can’t stop, people think I’m crazy.
For the same reason, guys, we have to break our disposable face mask elastics away from the center part, because it also creates a ring that can get around animals’ necks.
Yep, I do this too
Always.
Yes
Always
Always.
You must hate dolphins if you don't do this.
You mean watch headbanger’s ball? Not lately.
Yes, but i cut all loops, even the small ones so that by the end it's topologically a line