The choice of packaging material for the dairy sector has been the topic of global analyses, mainly for its economic and environmental impact.

In recent years, the accelerated growth in the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has caused a change in the liquid dairy sector packaging processes. Many companies have migrated to the use of PET because it is a safer, lower-cost solution, in addition to having less impact on the environment and greater business opportunities.

In this article, we want to briefly comment on the main differences involving the packaging materials for the dairy sector and the reasons behind this change over the last few years.

For a long time, cartons were the main material used as packaging in this sector. Despite being a product from renewable resources and being only 25% heavier than plastic bottles, paper consumes a lot of energy in its manufacture, being approximately the third-largest industrial use of energy on the planet. In addition, it consumes several other resources at scales such as water, fossil fuels and chemicals.

A milk carton is made up of approximately 75% paper, 20% plastic and 5% aluminum. As a result, its recycling process ends up being more difficult, and a large amount of water is used for its treatment and recycling. Another important point to be mentioned about the use of paper is that it has grown by more than 400% in the last 40 years, generating more deforestation and consequently greater CO2 pollution in the environment. The manufacture of paper and cardboard is one of the most polluting processes that exist. For every ton of paper, approximately 1.5 tons of CO2 are generated, which ends up significantly contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Another material option used in this sector is glass. The main problems involving glass are the use of non-renewable resources in scale, energy and transport. Although the resources used to manufacture glass are abundant in nature (sand, sodium carbonate and limestone), they are non-renewable raw materials. Also, like paper, glass manufacturing is extremely energy-intensive. Producing a glass milk bottle consumes a substantial amount of energy, as glass needs to be heated to over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Glass is an extremely heavy material when compared to other materials. In a shipment containing half-liter bottles of milk, the glass would constitute a third of the total weight compared to 5% for plastic, thus being a less cost-effective option when taking into account transport costs.

According to a study released in 2010 by the United Kingdom. Environmental organization WRAP (PDF), raw material extraction and manufacturing consume the most energy in the lifetime of a milk container. In this way, opting for recyclable alternatives is the key to ensuring greater financial sustainability for a business.

In addition to being 100% recyclable, plastic provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, helping to control the properties of the liquid, as well as ensuring shelf life without the need for aluminum foil, making it a more sustainable option than paper milk cartons. In addition, PET is the lowest cost plastic on the market, ensuring in the end: financial and environmental sustainability, and food safety.

Through research carried out by Riverford Organics, one of the largest vegetable box companies in the UK, plastic boxes can reduce a company's carbon footprint by up to 70%, being a much more environmentally sustainable solution.

Aiming at the best packaging solution for your business, Delta El Nile is always looking to develop products that meet our consumer’s needs, in order to have an adequate and sustainable packaging process at a competitive cost.

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