ponderings from the dairy aisle

[cellio]

Most of the time (where I shop), milk comes in plastic containers. Occasionally, it comes in the waxy cardboard ones instead. Last night I actually had a choice, and realized I don't know which one is more green. Plastic can be recycled (good) and the cardboard can't, but I have the impression that producing the plastic container is more destructive to the environment -- and, of course, you also have to factor in the costs of recycling. Trash in a landfill also imposes a cost, and means that cost of production is borne entirely by one use. Overall, I don't know which one is less bad.

Which would you buy?

Comments

[paquerette.livejournal.com]

I always used to prefer the waxy paper because I thought that was greener, but recently I heard about the plastic being more readily recyclable. I never thought about the fact that wax + paper is pretty hard to recycle. I have to wonder if even the places who collect it for recycling are just incinerating it.

I'd also look into health and taste issues. I always thought that in paper it tasted better, and felt that the plastic probably leached, but I've never looked into it.

Lately I've been getting my milk in glass. Now, that can't be beat. ;) If you've got a natural food store or farm that sells to the public convenient to you, it might be worth looking into. Ours is transitional organic, unhomogenized(sp?) and raw; and generally I think that's what you'll find if you do find it in glass. So you'd have to be comfortable with that.

[cellio]

I hadn't considered the material affecting the contents. Good point.