Reimagining the milk supply chain: Reusable vessels for bulk delivery

Milk packaging has been analysed multiple times in pursuit of finding the most appropriate vessel from an environmental point view. Research concentrated on commercially available containers 0.5 – 2.5 litres, usually made High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Terephtalate (PET), paper-based cartons, or glass, with some studies considering a reuse scheme for glass bottles. Whilst applicable household delivery, such is not practical delivery to cafés where large volumes milk are used every day; little information known about transportation bulk bigger vessels as steel churns. This study compares proposed supply chain using mix reusable stainless churns and bottles current that uses single-use HDPE bottles, 10 belonging The University Sheffield. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted data obtained university Our Cow Molly, local dairy farm which delivers university. Sensitivity analysis was performed around recycling rate plastic water consumption churn cleaning, source on-farm electricity. suggests greenhouse gas emission can be lowered by approx. 6.5 tons CO2 equivalent annually if applied (this equates 65% reduction processes analysed). Considerable savings also reported categories consumption, fossil resources depletion cumulative energy demand. is, however, likely induce similar higher mineral resource use damage marine eutrophication category due treatment. Production scenario maintenance transport side main contributors impact. Further improvements could achieved reducing amount cleaning hence electricity demand heating. benefit environmentally electric refrigerated van instead diesel vehicle.