Beer brewed in Manchester will help the growing global fight against single-use plastics.
Plastic rings on packs of lager and cider will be replaced by sustainably-sourced cardboard rings thanks to a £15 million investment in Moss Side's famous Heineken brewery.
Heineken has announced the elimination of plastic rings and shrink wrapping across its entire portfolio of beer, lager and cider multi-pack cans, including Heineken, Foster's and Kronenberg 1664.
The new packaging, described as sustainably-sourced, recyclable and compostable, should appear on shop shelves by April next year.
Heineken said those lagers would be followed by all its brands in multi-pack cans, including Strongbow, Bulmer's and John Smith's, by the end of 2021.
A total investment of £22 million is being split between Heineken's sites in Manchester, Tadcaster and Hereford.
But the production technology will be piloted at its plant in Moss Side.
Heineken said it already sells over half of its beers and ciders on draught in pubs around the country through refillable kegs that can be used for up to 30 years.
Bosses hope the move will eliminate more than 500 tonnes of plastic annually - equating to more than 94 million plastic bags a year.
The cardboard rings are said to be robust and easy to grip.
Cindy Tervoort, the brewery's UK marketing director, said: “The effect single-use plastic is having on our planet can't be ignored.
"Creating an eco-friendly solution that eliminates plastic while still meeting the demands of our beer and cider drinkers has been a big focus in our business. Now, after years in development and huge investment, we're extremely pleased to announce our recyclable and compostable topper innovation, a significant milestone in our journey to eliminate all single-use plastic."
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Looming large over Princess Parkway with its towering cylinders and chimneys, beer has been brewed on the site since 1875, when it was known as the Albert Brewery, named after Queen Victoria's husband.
Opened by local brewer William Brookes, back then it employed around 24 people and used horses for deliveries. Today it employs nearly 10 times as many workers, who staff the site around the clock.
It was later sold to John Henry Lees, who named it the Moss Side Brewery.
The site changed hands a number of times after that, producing McEwans and Harp among other beers, before Heineken took over in 2008.
In May it was announced plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds are to be banned in England from next year in a bid to further tackle pollution and to protect the environment.
Then environment secretary Michael Gove confirmed the ban would take effect from April 2020 after a consultation over the move attracted 'overwhelming' public support.
