One of Ireland's most famous brewing companies is joining the fight against ocean pollution by swapping out their plastic packaging in favor of biodegradable materials.

Diageo, which is the parent company of Guinness beer and Smithwick's and Harp, announced last week that they would be investing £16 million ($21 million) in ditching their plastic multi-pack rings and shrink wrap packaging.

Instead, the company plans on using 100% recyclable and biodegradable cardboard.

The cardboard packaging is set to appear on Irish store shelves starting in August. The initiative will then be launched in Britain and other world markets in the summer of 2020.

Diageo says that their shift towards sustainable materials will collectively result in about 529 tons of plastic waste being diverted from landfills. As of right now, less than 5% of the company's packaging used around the world is plastic.

The initiative means that Guinness will now be joining the likes of Corona and Carlsberg as some of the first major beer brands to ditch plastic packaging.

"For 260 years Guinness has played a vital role in the communities around us. We already have one of the most sustainable breweries in the world at St. James's Gate and we are now leading the way in sustainable packaging," said Global Head of Beer Mark Sandys in a statement. "This is good news for the brand, for our wider beer portfolio and for the environment."

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