Cascade Brewery will no longer use plastic shrink wrap packaging on its bottles, saving around half a million pieces of plastic from entering the environment each year.

From today, all six-pack bottles of beer will leave the brewery in new cardboard packs instead of shrink wrap.

This is the latest step in Cascade’s transformation into a more sustainable operation. Shrinkwrap plastic will never again be used by the brewery, with today’s announcement following Cascade’s transition from plastic rings to cardboard packaging for six-pack cans in 2018.

As part of the discontinuation of shrink wrap, Cascade has invested more than $1 million in a state-of-the-art packing machine that locks the bottles into specially designed grooves in the cardboard packaging.

Cascade Brewery manager Jesse Cartwright said this announcement signalled Cascade’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in Tasmania.

“We know some shrink wrap plastic enters the Tasmanian environment and has a damaging effect. Tasmanians can now enjoy their favourite stubbies knowing they come in cardboard made from sustainably-sourced timber.

“But anyone worried the new packaging won’t safely hold their beers need not be. The cardboard is sturdy and its specially designed grooves ensure the bottles lock firmly in place.

“Cascade’s brewed beer here with the water from Kunanyi/Mount Wellington for around 190 years. If we want to do so for another 190 years and beyond we must ensure every facet of the brewery and its supply chain is sustainable – it’s that simple.

“From introducing sustainable packaging, to reducing our water consumption and sourcing more of our raw ingredients locally, we are constantly creating more sustainable operations and looking for more opportunities to do so.”