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

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I buy whichever has the longest date, no matter the container.
Sometimes we get organic if it is fresh enough, but the containment device is only an issue if coolers are involved. Then we consider the close-ability of plastic, and the pack-ability of shelf-stable.