Guinness has announced that it’s removing all plastic from multipacks of the Irish stout brand as part of its industry-leading drive to reduce pollution.

Diageo, the company that owns the Guinness brand, also plans to replace the plastic ring carriers and shrink wrap on packs of Harp lager, Rockshore and Smithwick’s beers with 100% recyclable and biodegradable cardboard in a £16 million eco initiative.

The plastic pack rings, called hi-cones or yokes, bind multipacks of canned drinks, particularly beers and have been in use for over half a century. While convenient, they are a big contributor to ever-increasing ocean plastic pollution that threatens marine life.

Other drinks companies have also been busy in addressing the single-use plastics scourge. Last year, Carlsberg announced it will use a recyclable glue to hold together its beer packs, reducing the amount of plastic by up to 76%. Initially in the UK the Carlsberg Export brand packs will change but eventually the company will switch its entire drinks portfolio, including Tuborg and San Miguel.