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

[nobble.livejournal.com]

We can recycle our milk cartons. I prefer the paper. It filters the light better and keeps the milk fresher longer. Milk from plastic tastes weird. But the best is glass. Bring back the glass bottle I say!

[patsmor.livejournal.com]

We had brown milk bottles when I was a kid -- to keep the light out?

[cellio]

That's the reason brown bottles are preferred for beer, for what that's worth.