Bag o’Milk– the Greener Option
Posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 6:23 pmMilk. It does a body good (when it’s organic, that is). But what does it do for the planet?
I recently returned from a year of living abroad. While I was there, I bought all my milk in plastic bags. And I loved it. There’s something so gratifying and simple about plopping the bag into a reusable container with a little handle, snipping off the corner, and pouring away! So given my soft-spot for the bag o’milk, I was particularly excited to read this article saying that the bag is a more environmentally friendly milk-packaging option than the plastic bottles that we use here in the US. One question: clearly a small, recyclable plastic bag is preferable to a larger plastic bottle. But is it better than a recyclable cardboard carton?
Bag o’Milk Is Better for the Environment
It’s already happened in Canada. It’s in the process of happening in Great Britain. I wonder if it will ever happen in the U.S.? I am referring to changing the packaging for milk containers. In Canada and England (anywhere else?), milk can now be purchased in more environmentally friendly bags rather than plastic bottles.
Currently, most of the bottles used for milk are tossed into the garbage rather than be recycled. Add to that they’re made of a high density polyethylene, which can be recycled albeit mainly in China. The bags use 75% less plastic than do the bottles we’re currently used to. Less packaging means less waste.
The milk bags are easily stored, too. You just have to get any kind of reusable pitcher, or similar container. When you bring home your fresh bag of milk, simply empty the contents into your pitcher and store it in the fridge.
The bag of milk is a neat new concept. I think that if we’re serious about reducing our impact on this planet, this may be a good change to make. I know it seems kind of weird, but it’s not that different from our current milk containers. Also, it’s not a big sacrifice. I put lots of products into a permanent container once I get it home. So here’s to the bag of milk: may you be universally accepted in the near future and stick around far into it.
I recently moved from Canada to the US and I certainly miss milk in bag. Not only does it help reduce your footprint, but it’s far more friendly if you have an space issues in your fridge:)
posted on February 13th, 2008 at 8:11 pmGreat post! I have to say that I’ve never heard of milk in a bag. But, I’m guessing that we’ll start seeing more and more changes to ‘conventional’ containers as our nations get “greener”.
Case in point: I couldn’t have predicted that plastic bags would be banned in major cities.
I’m keeping my eyes open now!
posted on February 16th, 2008 at 1:19 amHi! Here in Argentina those milk bags are everywhere, we also have milk in carton or bottles but the bags are the cheapest choice. The thing is, the milk has to be refrigerated all the time, which doesn’t happen with the cartons or bottles… so I don’t know what’s the greener choice at all
Lara
posted on February 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pmHello. I live in Wisconsin and at some of the Kwik Trip gas stations they have been selling bags of milk since about 1993. I remember because I was in elementary school and my mom brought home milk in a bag. It was so cool! It’s only now I realize that it is cool but it is also better for the environment.
posted on February 16th, 2008 at 11:23 pmThis is an awesome idea, but
can anyone tell me where I can find the milk bags in Maryland?
I live in PG County, and I can’t imagine where they would be unless they were father away in northern Maryland..
posted on February 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 amHi Jaci (and others who’ve commented),
I love the enthusiasm that this post has generated! It would be fantastic if milk in a bag was readily available in the U.S. I’ve done some poking around and placed some calls but, unfortunately, have yet to find any locations (in Maryland or elsewhere) that have it for sale. Has anyone else had better luck?
If you’d like to see bags of milk on the market, I highly recommend calling your favorite grocery store or co-op and letting them know. I see a bag o’milk revolution unfolding…
posted on February 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pmPeople who choose to buy milk in a bag need to determine if plastic bags are recyclable in their curbside programs, or if they will have to take the plastic bags to a specialty plastics recycler. In our county’s curbside program we do not include plastic bags because they gum up the sorting equipment at our material recovery facilities and they can literally stop the system from working for hours.
Also, milk is not recyclable. These bags will need to be rinsed.This is another one of those “opportunities” that sounds good, but may have some drawbacks.
posted on February 28th, 2008 at 2:52 pm