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By Alix Clyburn | Back To the Blog

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

12:33 am - July 9, 2008

Photo: Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

Wal-Mart and Costco are changing the shape of milk jugs to save on shipping costs. The new containers fit neatly on pallets and don't need to be crated, so more milk can be transported in each truck. This lowers shipping costs by saving fuel.

Yes, of course it's the bottom line (aka greed) motivating this, not eco-consciousness, but who cares? Greed is the mother of American innovation. Maybe when exhibiting greed is green, we'll pick up the pace a little bit here.

Speaking of a groundswell of greening, somebody else is already using the name Mommy Greenest, so I have to switch it. Shocking, as it may seem, I'm not the only woman blogging about going green. I'm just the best. I'm now the best, however, with a new name. Green with Children. Learn it. Love it. Live it.

So, back to the new milk jugs. People are complaining about spilling too much with this new model. (Insert lame 'crying over spilled milk' joke here.) My older brother, a former bartender, emailed with some pointers:

"How hard is it? Actually, the secret to any difficult pouring situation is altitude. Eventually, the liquid will form a stream, just maybe not right away. If you're pouring from the side of a beer pitcher, say, if you do it slowly, it'll run down the side and dribble all over the place. But if you pour con gusto from higher up, there should be no problems."

Maybe my older brother wants everyone reading this to ask him for trivial advice like, "How do I pour?" If you have any other questions for him, just let me know. I learn so much from him. He's my idol. (I hope he reads that). So Wal-Mart shoppers, use Evan's tips and keep buying those jugs. Wal-Mart, sell the organic milk in those jugs!

My neighbor is going green too. While we were setting up the backyard for her daughter's fourth birthday party she laughed and said, "Wow, now you know it's a special occasion when you use the paper napkins instead of the cloth."

So true.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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new shape of milk jugs
posted by saghi on 2008-07-16 09:23:07  

Dear friend, In my country,Iran,PAKBAN co. has used this shape of milk jug since 13-14 years ago, with different coloured caps for different fats! Some people store this jugs and use more & more times for other liquids!

new chape of milk jug
posted by chithi on 2008-07-16 14:53:13  

The concept of recycle and reuse has been long prevalent in other nations USA is jsut catching up. But what is good about USA is the marketing they do for everything. Once they take it they market it so well to everyone that it seems like their original idea. :)

Milk Container Shape
posted by Waratah Joe on 2008-07-16 19:05:45  

I am gobsmacked that this is an innovation in the land of innovation! We have used this shaped milk container in Tasmania for many years.

Neoshaped Milk Jugs
posted by AlphaCryptoRed@webtv.net on 2008-07-17 03:46:30  

Haven't those lazy complainers ever heard of using a funnel for pouring milk?


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