Earth Equity News

Solution, or Mess? A 'Green' Milk Jug. By Stephanie Rosenbloom, NYTimes, June 30, 2008. "A simple change to the design of the gallon milk jug, adopted by Wal-Mart and Costco, seems made for the times. The jugs are cheaper to ship and better for the environment, the milk is fresher when it arrives in stores, and it costs less. What's not to like? Plenty, as it turns out. The jugs have no real spout, and their unorthodox shape makes consumers feel like novices at the simple task of pouring a glass of milk. 'I hate it,' said Lisa DeHoff, a cafe owner shopping in a Sam's Club... But retailers are undeterred... The new jugs have many advantages from their point of view, and Sam's Club intends to roll them out broadly, making them more prevalent... The redesign of the gallon milk jug, experts say, is an example of the changes likely to play out in the American economy over the next two decades. In an era of soaring global demand and higher costs for energy and materials, virtually every aspect of the economy needs to be re-examined, they say, and many products must be redesigned for greater efficiency... But if the milk jug is any indication, some of the changes will take getting used to on the part of consumers."