Sam’s Club is one of the grocery (like) chains leading the way with a new redesigned milk jug.  The jugs are designed to fit closer together during shipping.  This will allow more jugs on a truck and reduce the amount of gas used to ship milk.  It will also save on the water that was used to wash the old jugs.

“Because of the shape, traditional milk jugs can’t be stacked, so they’re shipped in milk crates. But they waste space on delivery trucks and millions of gallons of water are used to keep them clean.”

The new flat-top jugs can simply be stacked and shrink-wrapped. No need for washing.

The new containers also store 50 percent more milk per cubic foot than the old jugs. That means more milk on each truck - reducing delivery trips and fuel costs.

“We’re estimating it could be up to 11,000 trucks we’re reducing on the road this year,” said Daniel Book, marketing manager for Sam’s Club.

Many who have tried the jugs say they don’t like them.  Several consumers said that the new jugs made pouring more difficult.  After spending 30 years with the old milk jugs, I am sure I will have an adjustment period myself.  But, if the new jugs are better for the environment and help keep milk prices down then that is enough for me to get over it.