Dairy launches fully recyclable milk cartons

Brownes Dairy has announced plans to replace its existing milk cartons with a carton package made entirely from plant-based, renewable materials. The Tetra Rex Bio-based package is a fully renewable carton, with its protective layers derived from sugar cane.

“We have done the due diligence on this packaging format to ensure our product quality, freshness and food safety are fully maintained,” said Brownes Dairy CEO Tony Girgis.

The bio-based packages are more sustainable than standard milk cartons, reducing manufacturer reliance on fossil-based polyethylene plastic in the lining. Consumer interest in sustainability is increasing, with research indicating that people of all ages believe businesses should take responsibility for their environmental footprint.

“At Brownes Dairy, we wanted to support the global movement by looking at packaging across its entire life cycle, from source to end of life. Making the switch to a protective layer derived from sugar cane is not only better for the environment, but our consumers can trust the package is made from a renewable source that has a lower carbon impact to climate change,” Girgis said.

The dairy will manufacture 25 of its milk cartons with the new sustainable packaging, equating to about 17.8 million milk cartons per year. The dairy’s white milk, cream and CHILL range will all be packaged in a Tetra Rex Bio-based pack. Tetra Pak has provided more than half a billion renewable packs after introducing the bio-based package in dairy by Finnish brand Valio in 2015. Brownes Dairy is claimed to be the first dairy in Western Australia to integrate the renewable cartons across its range.