How Cayman Islands Brewery Succeeds with Earthrings in Humid Conditions

Earthrings Success in Humid Conditions

The Cayman Islands boast about stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a tropical climate.  Balmy temperatures, frequent rainfall, and 75-85% humidity pose serious challenges for beverage producers.  Reliable packaging (especially multi-pack carriers) must endure storage, ocean transport, distribution, and retail display without failing.

When Cayman Islands Brewery (Caybrew), the maker of the islands’ premium beer, decided to remove plastic from their canned packaging, they needed something that could handle the tough climate. They discovered and switched to Earthrings and in October 2024, and became the first large producer in the Cayman Islands to go completely plastic-free by using Earthrings biodegradable can rings for all their cans. More than a year later, the change has held up well.

Why Humidity Was the Deciding Factor

Traditional plastic six-pack rings work in many places, but Caybrew wanted something better. Since most waste in the islands ends up in local landfills and recycling options are limited, they didn’t want to solve one problem by creating another. They looked for packaging that is:

• 100% plastic-free

• Biodegradable and home compostable

• Curbside recyclable

• Reliably strong in high-humidity tropical conditions

Earthrings met the challenge. The rings are made from several layers of strong fiber cardboard and coated with a food-safe, fully biodegradable, moisture-resistant finish. This design keeps them sturdy even after long exposure to humid air, temperature changes, or damp storage, which are common in the Caribbean. Before making the switch, Caybrew tested the rings thoroughly to make sure they worked from the factory to the customer. The results showed that Earthrings keep a strong grip and hold their shape at every step:

• Humid warehouse storage

• Sea freight in tropical conditions

• Retail coolers and shelves in 80%+ humidity

There is no slippage, no tearing, and no complaints. The 6-packs stay secure, look good, and work well.

Switching to Earthrings is more than just a technical fix; it sends a strong message about your brand. When customers pick up a Caybrew 6-pack, they see packaging that breaks down naturally instead of lasting for centuries in landfills or the ocean. That choice says clearly: “We care. We’re taking real steps to protect our beautiful island for future generations.” Caybrew already uses solar power, runs a bottle return program, and supports shark conservation through White Tip Lager sales. Adding plastic-free, compostable rings made their commitment to sustainability even stronger and connected with eco-conscious drinkers in the Cayman Islands and beyond.

Performance and Price: Earthrings offer clear advantages in humid conditions:

• Competitive pricing, often costing less than traditional plastic rings or other plastic-free options

• Easy to use with the CB-350 applicator, which Caybrew installed without issues. The machine was shipped straight to the islands.

• Better look and feel, with a clean, modern design that stands out on the shelf

The Caybrew story proves that Earthrings work in one of the toughest places: a Caribbean island with constant humidity and limited recycling. See why so many brands are choosing Earthrings biodegradable can carriers for better sustainability and performance.

Show Your Customers You Care About the Planet

Visit our can carriers page to learn about features, real-world examples, and the benefits of eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging. Make your brand more sustainable and attract customers who care about the environment. Want to see how moisture-resistant, biodegradable can rings could work for you? Contact us to ask about samples, applicator options, or a custom solution for your brewery

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why was humidity the key challenge for Caybrew’s packaging?

  The Cayman Islands’ tropical climate—balmy temperatures, frequent rain, and 75–85% humidity—puts intense stress on multi-pack carriers across storage, ocean transport, and retail. Caybrew needed a solution that wouldn’t weaken, slip, or tear in persistent moisture while also addressing local waste realities, where most trash goes to landfills and recycling options are limited.

• What are Earthrings made of, and how do they handle tropical conditions?

  Earthrings are built from multiple layers of strong fiber cardboard with a food-safe, fully biodegradable, moisture-resistant coating. This construction keeps them sturdy and shape-true after long exposure to humid air, temperature swings, and damp storage—common conditions in the Caribbean.

• How did Caybrew test Earthrings, and what were the results?

  Caybrew ran end-to-end trials—from humid warehouse storage to sea freight in tropical conditions, then into retail coolers and shelves at 80%+ humidity. The results showed strong grip and shape retention with no slippage, no tearing, and no complaints; 6-packs stayed secure and looked good throughout.

• Which sustainability goals do Earthrings meet for Caybrew, and why does that matter locally?

  Earthrings are 100% plastic-free, biodegradable and home compostable, and curbside recyclable. In a place where most waste ends up in landfills and recycling options are limited, this avoids creating long-lived plastic waste. The switch also reinforces Caybrew’s broader sustainability efforts—solar power, a bottle return program, and shark conservation via White Tip Lager—resonating with eco-conscious consumers.

• When did Caybrew switch to Earthrings, and how has the change held up?

  In October 2024, Caybrew became the first large producer in the Cayman Islands to go fully plastic-free for all cans using Earthrings. More than a year later, the transition has held up well in real-world conditions.