Wednesday 10th August 2022
As organic farmers we know first-hand the impact climate change is having on our planet. The food we eat, and how that food is produced, sourced, packaged and disposed of has major consequences.
We always strive to put nature first, which is why we’ve switched our 1L fresh milk from plastic bottles to fully plant-based cartons.
We’re reducing the amount of plastic we use in our products; the new carton uses 70% less plastic vs our previous 1L bottle – that’s 16g less plastic for every pack sold. Which means it will all add up quickly in the right direction.
By making the switch, we’re using renewable based materials. Which means our new 1L cartons are made only of materials that can naturally renew themselves, in doing so we cut the carbon footprint of our packaging by more than half. Unlike many other cartons, there is no aluminium foil layer inside, just Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) unbleached card and a lid and coating made of plant-based plastic.
The cartons flatten neatly for recycling at recycling banks or some home collections, you can check recycling in your area by visiting Tetra Pak.
For over 25 years we’ve tried to make good choices. Our commitment to bring you delicious, fresh organic milk that supports healthy and sustainable diets is stronger than ever. We’re here to help you make every day sustainable choices one glass, spoon or bowl at a time.
We’re always looking for new ways to improve the environmental footprint of our packaging! We made the decision to move away from glass to plastic bottles as plastic bottles ensure a longer shelf life and need less protection while transporting, which means we can fit more into one load and our vans can make less trips (less carbon emissions). Overall, plastic milk bottles containing recycled HDPE have lower total carbon emissions than the equivalent volume glass bottles over their life cycle.
YEOKENS
Our new milk cartons are currently unable to have Yeokens, however, we are working with our packaging suppliers to provide a long-term solution to this, that will not only allow us to have Yeokens, but the bottle will remain 100% fully recyclable. We aim to achieve this in 2023.
No skimmed milk red packaging ?
I’m waiting !
The yoghurt cartons without the lids are a bit wobbly! I fear I’ll have a disaster getting it out of the fridge, once the seal so off. I signed up, just to get a reusable lid. You’ve run out! Now kicking myself I did the Christmas recycling last week 🙁
Good effort Yeo Valley but unfortunately Tetrapak cartons are not widely collected at kerbside so a large proportion of these new “environmentally friendly” cartons will end in land fill, including the non-biodegradable plant based plastic used in them.
I’ve been around this maze of confusion! I like your products but in the past I found it difficult with finding the code to key into your system, so it’s easier not to use it. Seemingly, I have tokens to spend but that in itself has proved a challenge in finding choices and where the page is. Sometimes designers of software need to include end users to test the App. Alas, it doesn’t work for me!
It’s great the new packaging uses less plastic, but how do you recycle them? Do they go in with cardboard, or are they a Tetrapak, which our council doesn’t collect. It really annoys me when manufacturers label their product as Recyclable but don’t tell you how. Unless I am told otherwise I will assume it is a Tetrapak in which case I will avoid it.
Excellent in ALL respects!
I would say that this is BACKWARDS change. My local authority (and many others) does not recycle TetraPak. There is a useful website for checking local TetraPak recycling: http://www.ace-uk.co.uk/
It shows two local facilities, both of which are around 8 miles drive away. That’s a 16 mile round-trip, so you can guess that won’t be happening.
The only option is to put the empty carton in the general landfill waste. Whereas with your previous plastic carton, recycling is simple.
In addition, the process of recycling TetraPak is more complicated and requires more energy than just plastic.
Plastic is not the enemy – marketing hype is!
BTW, I’m just a consumer with no connection with packaging businesses.
Very disappointed not to be able to make use of your money off vouchers for milk, butter etc. I am elderly and all my shopping is by Tesco home delivery – but these vouchers can only be redeemed in person in store.
To much concern on tokens by customers and not enough thought on the packaging< Keep trying as taste is not up to standard,
Really excellent new carton! Ignore all the nit-picking over tokens etc. Life must go on – but it has to keep pace with the environment.