Guidance for Improving Life‐Cycle Design and Management of Milk Packaging

Abstract

Summary Life‐cycle inventory and cost‐analysis tools applied to milk packaging offer guidelines for achieving better environmental design and management of these systems. Life‐cycle solid waste, energy, and costs were analyzed for seven systems including single‐use and refillable glass bottles, single‐use and refillable high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, paperboard gable‐top cartons, linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) flexible pouches, and polycarbonate refillable bottles on a basis of 1,000 gal of milk delivered. In addition, performance requirements were also investigated that highlighted potential barriers and trade‐offs for environmentally preferable alternatives. Sensitivity analyses, indicated that material production energy, postconsumer solid waste, and empty container costs were key parameters for predicting life‐cycle burdens and costs. Recent trends in recycling rates, tipping fees, and recycled materials market value had minimal effect on the results. Inventory model results for life‐cycle solid waste and energy indicated the same rank order as results from previously published life‐cycle inventory studies of container systems. Refillable HDPE and polycarbonate, and the flexible pouch were identified as the most environmentally preferable with respect to life‐cycle energy and solid waste. The greater market penetration of these containers may be limited by performance issues such as empty container storage, handling requirements, and deposit fees for refillables, and resealability and puncture resistance for the pouch.

Life cycle assessment of cheese and whey production in the USA

“…LCAs for the cheese industry are not extensive, but important research has been conducted in Australia (Lundie et al 2003), Scandinavia (Berlin 2002;Dalgaard and Halberg 2004), and Western European countries (Bianconi et al 1998;Hospido et al 2003;Williams et al 2006). In addition, considerable research has been done on food packaging, with some emphasis on milk packaging in particular (Keoleian and Spitzley 1999); however, no information regarding cheese packaging has been identified. Research on the life cycle of dairy products from retail to consumer to end-of-life has been minimal.…”

Effects of Pro‐Oxidants and Antioxidants on the Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Oxidation Products of Milk During Refrigerated Storage

“…Packaging milk in clear high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) containers and storing it in illuminated dairy cases is the major cause of light‐induced oxidized flavor development (Webster and others ). In the United States, 68% of milk purchased is packaged in clear HDPE containers (Keoleian and Spitzley ). Milk typically remains in the dairy case for at least 8 h and the average light intensities in supermarkets range from 750 to 6460 Lux, with a median intensity of 2000 Lux (Chapman and others ).…”

Life cycle environmental performance and improvement of a yogurt product delivery system

“…[2][3][4] To support LCAs of packaging systems, the Swiss Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landscape developed a life cycle database of common packaging materials, including aluminium, glass, paper, steel and various plastic resins. 5,6 Packaging systems have been investigated for a variety of food products, including milk, 7-10 juice, 10,11 carbonated beverages, 12 coffee, 13 and ketchup. 14 A wide range of life cycle studies have been conducted, comparing alternative consumer product packaging systems in terms of their environmental performance.…”

“…Previous investigations made comparative assessments of alternative systems (e.g. milk in flexible pouches and returnable polycarbonate and HDPE bottles, single-use HDPE, glass and paperboard gable top containers 10 ), while relatively few studies examined opportunities for improvement of individual systems (e.g. reducing the life cycle burdens of Tetra Brik milk packaging 9 ).…”