Plastic 6-pak rings?

Question

Do you cut them before you toss them out? I do after seeing critters with their heads stuck in them. My friends think I'm strange for doing this/.

Answer 1

Yes, I cut them up too. I've seen several shows on TV that show animals stuck in them and they can't get free. Many of them end of dying because they are unable to defend themselves, get away from predators, and/or eat.

My friends and family thought I was strange when I first started doing it but after I explained why a lot of them started doing it themselves. I actually cut all the rings and then run the whole thing through a shredder just to make sure the problem is eliminated.

Answer 2

I do, because I grew up in Florida, I was young when the whole O-Zone, recycle, trash in the oceans started. We studied sea turtles, which are protected, and were shown pictures of what dangers they cause. Along with a lot of other interesting stuff. I still do not use aerosol cans, even though they changed the CF2's/CO2's in them. We were taught we were putting a whole in the O-Zone layer...now that hole is apparently gone, or getting smaller. We studied the affects that we were having on the rain forest, what they said we would see in 20 years and how it would change things, well it is more than 20 years later, and if you look you see the affects. So yep I still buy recycled paper, along with many other things. I make less trash, because I just want to do my part. So all in all you are not strange for cutting them, I do it too. While no one in Florida thought I was strange, I do get some looks and a few questions from my friends here in Tennessee.

Answer 3

No you're definitely not strange. I started doing that a loooong time ago too, after I saw a pelican(I think it was a pelican) on some show with one stuck around its neck. I thought it was very sad and decided that I didn't want any of my plastic soda rings stuck around anything's neck. So I cut them up now before I toss them.....even though they go in the recycle bin! Better safe than sorry =)

Answer 4

I also would cut the rings before throwing them out. I've even been known to retrieve the rings from other people's garbage in order to cut them up. I, too, have been told I'm strange. "Nuts" was the word they used.

Now, I make it a point to buy only drinks that do not have any plastic rings.

My city (Columbus, GA) has a recycling program. We recycle newspaper, cans, and plastic. I recycle all of these.

Answer 5

YES!!! I do, I have always done this since I was told that any number of creatures can get caught in them and suffocate or become trapped. I recycle them now, but I have always and still do cut the rings just to be on the safe side. I don't think it's strange at all especially if you saved a life because of your conscientiousness. Way to go!!!

Answer 6

I saw a video when I was around 6 or 7 in school that showed the same thing, and I have ever since. I'm 24 now, so just think of all the ducks I've saved!

Answer 7

That is the friendly way of disposing of them. If they get thrown into a dump that way they can harm the animals. I dont buy them often, but when I do I make it a point to do the same. If I can't cut them, I rip them before I toss them out.

You are not strange! You go girl!

Answer 8

I usually try not to buy 6 pack items but when I do, I also cut them up. I hate seeing those little critters caught.

Answer 9

Good on you! The same appiles for fishing line, string, and other sundry items that can tangle up animals. Though line, hair, etc, can be used by birds for nest building. In fact, I (long time ago) had long hair and threw it out in the yard after cutting off (it wasn't long enough for locks of love or it would have went there), but I noticied it gone after a few days. Looking around in my trees, I noticed that the birds had used it for nesting material. Very cool.

Answer 10

I always cut the rings before tossing for the exact reason you mentioned. If I were you, I'd find some new friends who were as environmentally friendly as you.