Müller Milk and Ingredients have switched their coloured milk bottle caps to clear ones, reducing dependency by more than 1500 tonnes each year.
It comes after a trial in 2022, which saw the dairy company take the decision to begin converting its coloured caps across UK dairy farms last winter.
Müller’s milk bottles are fully recyclable and made of a minimum 30% recycled material high density polythene (rHDPE), however coloured caps cannot be recycled back into food grade packaging, so the switch means that the material can be used to make new caps and bottles across the sector.
The new system will mean that the availability of rHDPE will increase by 1500 tonnes per annum, reducing the need for non-recycled, new ‘virgin plastic’.
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The move follows similar changes from other brands and retailers, including Coca-Cola which swapped it’s green Sprite bottles for clear ones, and Asda supermarket milk as well as Arla products switching to clear bottle tops.
“Our milk bottles are 100% recyclable and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to date in increasing the recycled plastic content in these bottles, but we wanted to do more to increase sustainable practices within the dairy industry,” said Muller Milk and Ingredients chief executive Rob Hutchison.
“Research carried out prior to our initial trial showed the vast majority of shoppers support the changes to clear caps, so we know its just as important for consumers as well as our customers.”
He continued: “We are proud to have led this industry to change and will continue to look for more sustainable packaging solutions, ensuring we play our part in delivering a better future for British dairy.”
