Plastic Makes Perfect…When its Eco-Friendly!!!

Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) is proud to announce that they are using new and unique can top rings by PakTech. These make the perfect eco-friendly can carrier. MBC is the first brewery to utilize PakTech’s technology for their canned microbrews.

PakTech is located in Eugene, OR and designs and manufactures packaging handles that provide a simple, low-waste alternative for bulk packaging. Their handles are injection molded using HDPE plastic which is universally recyclable. These new handles protect the can tops, offer integrated handles and create space for UPC labeling.

MBC used paperboard cartons when they first started canning their microbrews in the spring of 2007 and later changed to cardboard wraps. With the Pak-Tech handles, MBC can fit six times as many rings in a single pallet position as boxes and twice as many as wraps and the plastic handles work better in high-humidity environments. “Due to humidity in open coolers, the wraps would break and cause a bunch of headaches,” explains Garrett Marrero, “not to mention its easier to drop in a cooler and roll to the beach!” This packaging choice has most definitely worked best for MBC. In an effort to further promote recycling, MBC is accepting returned can handles at their brewpub for food credit.

MBC produces genuine Hawaiian beers. Their trio of packaged microbrews are wholly produced and packaged in Lahaina by MBC. Although of course, these are USA products, due to Maui’s geographical location, MBC products can actually be considered “imported” to the mainland, especially given the fact that the Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated group of islands on the planet! When you are drinking a MBC microbrew, you are guaranteed that you are enjoying an authentic Hawaiian beer and are the only true Hawaiian beers available on the mainland!

With a strong commitment to the local economy, and deep concern for the environment, MBC microbrews are packaged with the most ecologically-friendly materials. Although cans and bottles are both recyclable, bottles still break and may pose a risk at beaches. The cans are manufactured on Oahu and designed by local Maui artists and have the added bonus of protecting the beer in the best possible manner, protecting our beers from both light and oxygen damage which can seriously compromise the taste. Plastic rings are dangerous to marine life and therefore, you will find a recyclable cardboard wrap around the cans. The spent grain from beer production is donated to local ranchers for cattle feed; and any cans damaged in production are donated to the Maui Humane Society. MBC purchased equipment from Maui Land & Pineapple, preserving a piece of Hawaii’s canning history.

Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, run a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as the 25-barrel full production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii as opposed to other “Hawaiian” beers.