New Milk Jugs Make a Splash, Leave Sour Taste in Consumers' Mouths

Costco and Sam's Club stores have redesigned their gallon sized milk jugs to conserve plastic and reduce shipping costs. The new milk jugs fit much more snugly into refrigerator doors and the savings are passed down to the customer. A gallon of milk in the new milk jugs costs about 35 cents less than traditional gallon containers. Why are shoppers so peeved by the fresh design?

The new milk jug is more compact. It features a flat top and more rectangular design than the old bulbous, round-edged containers. The spout is wider which can prove challenging for some. Not expecting the gush of milk, they sometimes end up spilling their milk. And that's what everyone is having a cow about.

When I tried the new milk jug design, I didn't see what the big deal was. I had to tip the container more gingerly that I would have with the old milk jug but it wasn't bothersome enough to complain about. I love the fact that it fits so nicely in my fridge. I love the lower price. I love that less plastic is used to manufacture it. And I love that it saves truckers on fuel costs.

Because the new milk jugs are stackable, pallets can be stacked on top of one another rather shipping a few containers in a milk crate. The stackable feature saves space in the big rigs used to transport the milk, allowing drivers to transport more milk in one run. That saves fuel which reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

This is an election year. The candidates are preaching to us every day about "change". If the American people are unwilling to adapt to a more Earth friendly milk carton, what are they thinking when they're voting for "change"? I can't speak for the disgruntled milk spillers of the world, but I like the new milk jugs. I will continue to buy them and I will do so in good conscience.

See more about the new milk jugs here.