Earth Day: DIY E-Clo-logical Milk Carton Planters

What Does Earth Day Mean to Clover?

While Earth Day is celebrated globally once a year, here at Clover Sonoma we like to think of every day as Earth Day. Being environmentally responsible is an integral part of our business model and company culture. It’s not just a buzz word for us. It’s a way of life. For three generations, our family owned and operated company has championed a healthy, sustainable way of life for our partner producer dairy farms, our precious land, and the animals entrusted to our care.

How Does Clover Demonstrate their Commitment to the Environment? 

-Clover has a long history as a leader in sustainability, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. We were the first dairy in the United States to become American Humane Certified and hold our family owned dairies to a higher standard through our Clover Promise of Excellence (formerly known as the North Coast Excellence Program). The rigorous criteria guarantees all Clover milk is sourced from producers who must adhere to strict guidelines for animal welfare, and environmentally sound land management practices.

-In addition, Clover is also extremely proud to carry the Certified B Corp designation, joining more than 2,000 distinguished for-profit businesses from over 50 countries in meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Being a Certified B Corp company demonstrates Clover’s belief that businesses can operate as a force for good in effecting positive change where all may thrive and prosper.

-In 2018,  Clover partnered with a local non-profit, United Cerebral Palsy, at our Production and Distribution facility to recycle approximately 37,000 pounds of plastic wrap that was destined for landfill.

-Clover is proud to be a 1% for the Planet member and in 2018 donated 1% of our sales for every unit of Lactose-Free Milk sold.

-In 2018, Clover made the commitment to not add plastic screw-top lids to any of their paperboard milk cartons.

E-Clo-logical DIY Milk Carton Planters

Speaking of our recyclable paperboard cartons, we hope you’ll enjoy this family (and planet) friendly Earth Day idea fo repurposing our pint-sized milk cartons as containers for your spring garden starts!These handy up-cycled cartons are the perfect size for growing flowers, herbs and vegetable seeds to gift to friends, family and teachers. Just follow these simple directions and you’ll be on your way to making an E-Clo-logical planter that’s sure to brighten someones day.

What you need:

-One pint carton of Clover Sonoma Whole Milk and/or Reduced Fat 2% Chocolate Milk
-A pen
-Potting soil (about 1 cup per pint carton)
-Plant starts of choice (flowers, herbs, vegetables)

Instructions:

Step 1: Drink milk and rinse out the empty carton. Open the top of the carton completely.

Step 2: Invert the carton and have an adult poke (3) drain holes in the bottom with a pen.

Step 3: Fill each carton with 1/2” potting soil.

Step 4: Gently remove a plant start from its original pot, and place upright in the milk carton.

Step 5:Fill in around the plant with additional potting soil, leaving about 1” room at the top for watering, and tamp the soil around the plant.

Step 6: Water lightly.

Optional: Gift the planted containers to friends and family on Earth Day 🙂