Sustainable dairy packaging is nothing new. Lightweighting, or source reduction, remains an ongoing process. Container wall thickness is reduced and flexible structures are down-gauged. Source reduction not only conserves resources, but also cuts costs and carbon footprint.
Reusable crates and bulk packaging continue to have a presence, and many packaging materials used for dairy products are recyclable. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), the primary resin used for milk bottles, is recycled in most curbside recycling programs in the United States.