Undoubtedly, you’re aware of how detrimental plastic pollution is to our oceans and our marine life. According to Ocean Crusaders, a free online resource whose mission is to educate people around the globe about the ocean, its creatures and the hazards that pollute it, “…there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that mass, 269,000 tons float on the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea.” Animals not only choke on the plastic, but they try to ingest it. As their bodies cannot digest it, they’re left to starve with a full stomach.

Research on perches in their larval state has even found that microplastics in particular can cause altered behavior in creatures. In the study, the perches preferred to eat microplastics as opposed to foods intrinsic to their normal diets.

Understanding the horror behind plastic pollution, a small-time craft brewery in Florida has made a great change. Packs of soda and beer come with the plastic rings, which we’ve all heard and seen to be a leading killer of marine animals. Back in May, Saltwater Brewery released their edible 6-pack rings to the world, which, as the title suggests, can be eaten by marine life.

In the video, the chief engineer of the project, Francis Garcia, even says, “Besides being 100% biodegradable, compostable and edible, it has to be strong enough to hold the weight and the typical handling of the cans,” which the rings do, even if they are made out of barley and wheat, byproducts of the brewing process. So, on top of enjoying your afternoon beer, you can feel good about saving hundreds of lives one sip at a time.

Unfortunately, there is one drawback and that is, of course, money. The cost of the edible rings is slightly higher than brands who use plastic, but there is hope that the price will go down. Saltwater Brewery has stated that if other companies adopt the edible rings, the competition will drive the price down.

But what’s a few extra dollars when it comes to not polluting our oceans?

Check out Saltwater Brewery’s website in order to support them and their noble cause. And, hey, if you're ever in the Delray Beach, Florida area, go and have a drink or go on a tour--see what Saltwater Brewery's all about.