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Tetra-pak Question (aussie.zone)

submitted 6 days ago by Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone to c/environment@aussie.zone

10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Questions first, explanation underneath,

Are tetra-pak containers actually better for the environment? Or is it a bit of a con?
Would powdered Oat milk be better than tetra-pak, or other containers?

I'm getting into Oat milk, been a long time coming, finally just getting on and doing it.

We've ordered some Nimbus powdered online. But for now I've been drinking from the Tetra-pak Oat milks. Brands were Vitasoy and Oatley (apparently they're shipped from Europe? Wtf?).

I looked up thinkstep anz's comparative assessment of tetra-paks impacts and it comes out top. But this seems about as independent as a trouts flipper, so i'm not sure i trust their conclusion.

Any answers, or guidance would be muchly appreciated. :)

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[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The most environmentally-friendly option would be to go back to the old-fashioned glass bottles returned to stores and reused in future batches.

But obviously, you can't make that happen on your own. I'm seeing conflicting information about tetra-pak vs plastic containers. It might be less recyclable than the straight-up plastic is, due to the difficulty of separating the different components. On the other hand, the plastic-lined cardboard containers used for smaller quantities of fresh milk are apparently quite easy to recycle, so environmentally speaking long-life may not be as good as fresh.

[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

plastic-lined cardboard containers

I've lost the thread of which you're refering to. Do you mean tetra-pak or the old cardboard milk containers with the fold out cardboard spout?

With glass containers, the washing and transportation is much more expensive. So the question becomes does that even out the CO2 emissions and environmental impact?

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The latter. It still exists, and is what you get if you go to your supermarket's fridge section and buy the 1 L milk instead of the 2 or 3 L jugs that come HDPE plastic. I was attempting to specifically contrast that with tetra-pak, but rereading it I can see I didn't make the contrast as clear as I had hoped.

As for glass, I don't know this for a fact, but I strongly suspect the washing and transportation take a miniscule amount of energy compared to that required for manufacturing.

[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Yep, got ya! I actually tried them for a while a few years back, for this exact environmental reason, but the milk kept going off too quick. It led to litres getting poured down the drain. Sometimes this shit is so impossible! 🤣

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

the milk kept going off too quick

Oh interesting. I guess because you can't close it up properly? I avoid buying them when I can because it runs out too quickly and then I have to go back to the shops for more. Tend to buy 3 L bottles for my cereal (the only time I really use milk, since I switched to having my tea black).

[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 1 points 4 days ago

Yeah thats what i supposed it must be. I should've tried putting it towards the back of the fridge instead of in the door, maybe that would've made a difference as well.

They do run out quickly For now I think i'll still have milk with cereal, can't get my head around having anything else yet. I don't have it often, so its not a big part of the change. I've tried black coffee a bit over the last year as an alternative option... its not for me. No point in living if thats how i have to have coffee! The Italians would hate me! 😄