Very little really degrades in a landfill because there is not enough air, light, or moisture. When exposed to direct sunlight, the rings will break down in 3 to 4 weeks in summer and 3 to 4 months in winter. The recyclable six-pack rings are lighter than water, causing them to float on the surface where they are exposed to direct sunlight. They will photodegrade, but the process takes slightly longer. They contain no heavy metal or toxic additives.
Entanglement is entrapment of an animal by carelessly discarded litter.
One picture of an entangled animal represents thousands. International Coastal Cleanup has generated a substantial amount of statistics and data on total debris collected. ITW Hi-Cone has taken positive action to respond to concern about animal entanglement. Photodegradable rings break apart when exposed to U.V. rays, allowing an entangled animal to tear and break away from the degraded carrier. Broken rings do not entangle.