Organic Milk in Cartons or Non-organic in glass bottles??

Liney_2

Hello, I have a dilema - do I go for Organic Milk in Cartons (which I am unable to recycle) or Non-Organic Milk in Bottles (which are recycled up to 12 times apparently) from my milkman.

Which is the 'greener' option?

I do like having a milkman he is a jolly chap and they are a bit of a dying breed. I personally wish he sold organic milk in bottles.

I did have organic milk in glass bottles from 'farmaround' my organic box deliverer but I had to order several and they went off before I could use them (plus they spilt them on my veg but that's another story)

What do you reckon?

Thanks

Liney

Moggles_2

Oh how I wish organic milk was sold in glass bottles too!

Did you say in an earlier post you're based in London? If so, a partial solution to this vexed question may be on the way.

Apparently organic wholesaler, Rachel's, which supplies most of London and the South-East, is changing from cartons to plastic milk bottles, which can be recycled!

arkonite_babe

If it wasn't for the cost issue with me, I'd have a milkman. Even better if they sold organic milk!
My only option to buy organic milk, is from the supermarket, where it is sold in 2l plastic containers.

Dustykitten

Wish I knew the answer. For a while a few years back we did have a milkman who delivered organic in glass bottles perfect but they moved over to cartons and it kept going off too quick so I now use the supermarket which I am not happy about really.

I have been reading about recycling this week and am becoming disenchanted with whether or not it is a good idea - the book hints that alot of what we think is being recycled goes in land fill anyhow or is shipped across the world to be processed so from that point of view non-organic bottles has got to be better.

From a milk point of view organic is probably better - less antibiotics/hormones better for the animal.

Hope someone can come up with the answer.

Moggles_2

From a milk point of view organic is probably better - less antibiotics/hormones better for the animal.

I'll go with that.

Also, some nonorganic milk comes from dairy herds fed on genetically-modified animal feed, a sort of fast food for cattle, imported from the USA.

IMO, the best way to keep the UK GM-free is to support home-produced, organic lines.

Moggles_2

Hot from the Press!

Researchers from the universities of Glasgow and Liverpool analysed milk from different farms over a three year period.

It turns out "you are what you eat" applies to cows as well as people. The omega 3 content of milk from organic farms rose significantly in the months when their animals were able to graze outside. Regular doses of clover, which is rich in these essential fatty acids, raises the omega 3 content of the cows' milk to an average 68% more than conventional milk.

Omega 3 fatty acids, which the body cannot produce, are vital for normal brain function. Adequate consumption has been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer as well, yet average western diets are generally depleted.

For more info, please see #25 on the Organic.....or not? thread.

CrazyChemist_2

There was some recent research which indicated that the compounds that make up the plastic carton absorbed into the milk can have a carcinogenic effect. :eek: But as per usual, supressed by major companies with a vested interest. Just like Aspartame and Saccharin cause headaches and other problems in some people, but that again "must be rubbish" because it would lead to a massive recall of all diet and "zero sugar" products.

That's why I still get my organic milk from Morrisons, as they still do cardboard cartons. And I can recycle them too

Moggles_2

I still get my organic milk from Morrisons, as they still do cardboard cartons. And I can recycle them too

I may be wrong, but I suspect your cardboard cartons are plasticised and cannot be recycled.

Cardboard alone cannot hold liquids, unfortunately.

Paul_VW

why not write to dairy crest (they deliver to about 80% of the country I think) and ask them why they dont? (they do milkshake and fruit juice in bottles, so it cant be that hard to do organic milk in bottles!!)

Liney_2

Paul_VW wrote:

why not write to dairy crest (they deliver to about 80% of the country I think) and ask them why they dont? (they do milkshake and fruit juice in bottles, so it cant be that hard to do organic milk in bottles!!)

I think I will - need to see if I can find an email address for their head office - will let you know what they say...thanks )

Liney_2

Actually I think I'm with Express Dairies so I'd better write to them instead )