Recycle the Jug: California Milk Advisory Board launches consumer recycling campaign
18 Oct 2021 --- The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has launched a public information campaign to increase awareness around the recyclability of plastic milk jugs.
The “Recycle the Jug” campaign is debuting a new Recylethejug.com website together with the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) to provide complete information on milk jug and other packaging recycling.
A new recycling icon with the website address will soon appear on milk jugs at retail stores across California to remind consumers to recycle their jugs in their local curbside recycling programs.
According to The Recycling Partnership, at least 74% of US households have access to curbside high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recycling, meaning most consumers can conveniently recycle their milk jugs. Regardless, CMAB’s 2021 package insights study reveals 47% of Californians find the milk jug difficult to recycle.
PackagingInsights discusses the prospect of improved milk jug recycling with Bob Carroll, vice president of CMAB’s business development.
Satisfying the skeptics
According to Carroll, HDPE is one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs across the US.
Milk jugs are made from HDPE, one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs across the US, including California.“HDPE is preferred for containers that have molded handles, like the milk jug. PET is more rigid and works better for single-serve bottles or larger containers without molded handles,” he explains.
Californians increasingly perceive recyclability as important, yet many remain skeptical that their packaging will actually be recycled. In CMAB’s study, 70% of Californians reported milk jugs’ recyclability as “very” or “somewhat” important to their purchase decision, versus 64% nationally.
Simultaneously, nearly half (47%) found the milk jug difficult to recycle. Of those skeptical consumers, 32% don’t trust they will actually be recycled, versus 19% nationally.
“[However,] we are confident that once Californian consumers learn there is high demand among recyclers for milk jugs because of the many markets for recycled HDPE (rHDPE), they will recycle more milk jugs.”
rHDPE and glass considerations
More HDPE returning to the recycling stream is required to close the loop on milk jug recycling. However, Carroll takes courage in the fact US dairy company Clover Sonoma will begin incorporating rHDPE in their organic gallon milk at the beginning of 2022.
Glass bottles are also making a comeback. “Milk sold in returnable and reusable glass bottles is available across 27% of California,” Carroll points out.
A new recycling icon aims to remind consumers to recycle their jugs in their local curbside recycling programs.“Glass bottles are wonderful to enhance milk’s quality and are environmentally friendly within a smaller geographical radius.”
According to Innova Market Insights, 51% of US consumers think glass performs “well” or “excellently” in terms of recyclability, just ahead of plastic (43%).
This figure rises to 61% when asked about glass’s product protection, again leading ahead of 57% of US consumers who regard plastic as performing “well” or “excellently.”
“For longer distance shipping, though, plastic is a lighter and better option, especially if it is part of a closed-loop system, which we are working to enhance,” Carroll adds.
Got milk packaging?
In recent milk packaging strides, Elopak unveiled its more environmentally sustainable aseptic carton branded the Pure-Pak eSense, and a new tethered cap solution for its Pure-Pak cartons called the Pure-TwistFlip.
Swiss food testing company SwissDeCode launched the “A2 Inside Label” in June, a label to help consumers identify authentic A2 milk products.
In celebration of World Milk Day, PackagingInsights spoke with industry leaders about rallying around environmentally sustainable solutions, human nutrition and the socio-economics of dairy production.
By Anni Schleicher
