A bit about plastic bottle waste in the UK
UK households use 13 billion plastic bottles a year, including beverage bottles, milk bottles and toiletries bottles. Milk and toiletries bottles are usually made from HDPE (high density polyethylene).
In the UK, 5.5 billion plastic bottles escape household recycling collection every year. Of these bottles, 55% (approximately 3 billion) are incinerated and 45% (approximately 2.5 billion) are landfilled every year (some are. littered). The waste hierarchy, ranks waste disposal methods according to their impact on the environment - incineration is the second worst waste management process and landfill is the worst.
The average glass milk bottle in the UK has about 35% recycled glass in it – although it can depend how much recycled glass is available. Which is a reminder that the more glass we all recycle, the more recycled glass gets used, and the more energy is saved 💚
The number of times an average glass milk bottle is reused is actually around 20 but it can be as many as 50 times. Overall that makes reusable milk bottles a more energy-efficient choice than disposable plastic. When a milk bottle becomes too scuffed or damaged to reuse, it’s recycled. Glass can be recycled indefinitely.
Doorstep delivery only stands at around 3% of the liquid market and while it still remains a favourite with millions of consumers we can do better. If we can increase that percentage we can help turn the tide on plastic waste in the UK. If we all take small steps we can make big changes. To find your local milkman visit www.findmeamilkman.net
MOOPOPS, like us, have been getting milk delivered for years. There are so many reasons why we love it.
There's something satisfying about pouring your milk or juice from a glass bottle and lets face it the milk bottle is a classic, it reminds us all of years gone by. Milk bottles are used between 20 - 50 times each before they get recycled, compared to the plastic bottle tops, most of which still go in landfill. If we all take small steps we can make big changes!
The only negative in the milk bottle story is those tricky foil tops. It used to drive MOOPOPS mad trying to constantly balance the crumpled foil on top of the bottle, and they certainly don't keep the milk fresh. Let's face it, once you've opened your bottle they're pretty pointless. So MOOPOPS came up with the idea of a reusable silicone top.