PepsiCo has announced that it will begin to use paper-based clips for its beverage multipacks instead of the standard plastic rings, which have long been a concern for environmentalists because of the effect they have on oceanic wildlife, in particular.

A company press release reports that Pepsi is the first beverage company to commit to a North American rollout of paper-based solutions to replace the plastic rings to package multipacks. The redesign will be launched in phases, the first of which will begin later this year for its United States rollout. The sustainable transition has already begun in Canada. The new packaging will cover brands like Pepsi, Pepsi Zero, MTN DEW, Starry and Gatorade.

“This conversion to more sustainable packaging will include brands like Pepsi, Pepsi Zero, MTN DEW, Starry, Gatorade, amongst others. It will also include 7Up in Canada. The new packaging is easy to implement on shelf for customers, has consumer-friendly branded-design, is made from recycled materials and is recyclable,” according to the release.

This innovation aligns with PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) goals to reduce virgin plastic from nonrenewable sources per serving across its global beverage and convenient foods portfolio by 50% by 2030, notes the release.

PepsiCo announced last week it is also celebrating 125 years in business with 125 days of promotions as well as a brand-wide redesign, complete with a new logo. NACS Daily covered the announcement; read more about the celebrations here.