The new material is as durable as its predecessor but does not require virgin wood. The straw would also otherwise be burned—a widespread practice for agricultural waste that is a key contributor to India’s notoriously poor air quality.
“This is also a vital step towards achieving our larger global goal of ensuring that 100% of our product packaging will be returnable or made from a majority of recycled content by 2025,” Ashwin Kak, Head of Procurement & Sustainability, India & South East Asia, AB InBev, says in a press statement. “At AB InBev, our dream is to create a future with more cheers, and we are proud to invest in sustainable solutions that positively impact the environment and our communities.”
The new six pack holders were developed by AB InBev in partnership with sustainable packaging company Craste. More than three years in development, the holders are being piloted in Bangalore before being rolled out to other Indian states.