Our longstanding support of family nutrition, sustainable family farms, thriving communities and renewable packaging has helped set the high standard for sustainability in the dairy industry. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. And it not only impacts how we produce our dairy, it drives us to find innovations in packaging and share our passion by educating communities we love. Our new PCR jug is the latest in Clover’s commitment to planet-friendly practices and packaging.
Sustainability
This planet means the world to us
Good things come in renewable & Recycled materials!
Clover was the first dairy in the U.S. to switch to a 100% plant based, renewable carton. And now we’re the first milk brand in the U.S. to launch a post-consumer recycled (PCR) gallon milk jug, made with 30% recycled household plastic!
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Healthy Communities & Sustainable Practices:
How Clover Is Leading the Way
Recycling your food packaging
Food residue is the #1 Reason
Packaging does not get recycled
The solution:
1
RINSE
out the package
so it’s free of
icky stuff
so it’s free of
icky stuff
2
DRY
the package by letting it sit out
3
RECYCLE
like you
normally do
normally do
Learn More about recycling & Food Packaging
Ready to wade into the world of packaging recycling?
Better put your boots on.
What are the issues with plastic?
The vast majority of plastic base material is fossil fuel, a finite (non-renewable) resource that requires energy/fuel for extraction. Bioplastic options exist that use plants as the base material. These options are more expensive, but much better for the environment because plants recapture carbon as they grow, reducing the carbon footprint of bioplastic vs. fossil fuel based plastic. In fact, studies in Europe show that the carbon footprint of a plant-based carton that uses bioplastic liner is less than 50% compared to traditional cartons that use a fossil fuel based plastic liner.1 Clover continues to pursue alternative packaging options that use less plastic, create a closed loop recycling system, and/or use renewable materials that are compostable. That’s why we launched a packaging solution for our gallon milk jug made from post consumer recycled (PCR) content.
1 Study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
What are the challenges with compostable packaging?
What is Clover doing?
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Glass vs. Cartons
1 Study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
Currently, a perfect packaging solution does not exist, but there are options that provide drastic improvements to the current packaging in market, such as our renewable carton and post-consumer recycled (PCR) gallon milk jug made from recycled household plastic.
Learn MoreA compostable package must be able to:
1
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Be stored for up to 6 months minimum in ambient temperatures
2
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Withstand high moisture and stay intact while being filled with milk or other dairy products
3
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Stay intact as it is shipped to store, then as it sits on shelf, and finally on its journey to your home
4
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Biodegrade within 90 days after disposal, as most compost facilities require this time frame
It is very challenging to find a compostable packaging type that can maintain its integrity and still look good up until it is consumed, and then quickly biodegrade. Nonetheless, we are not giving up and we are working everyday to identify better solutions for our packaging.
Clover recognizes that fossil-fuel based plastic is not a viable long-term solution for our products. We are collaborating with multiple companies on packaging innovation.
In 2020, we were ecstatic to be the first milk brand in the U.S. to launch our fully renewable, plant based carton.
We intend to transition all of our organic milk cartons to the fully renewable carton by 2025. In addition, we are working on sourcing alternative eco-friendly materials for our other products. While we might not be able to fix the problem overnight, every incremental step we take away from fossil fuels is a huge step in the right direction.
As we work towards these goals, we are proud to be the first U.S. milk brand to launch a post-consumer recycled (PCR) gallon milk jug. Because to us, every sustainable step matters.
Fully renewable
low carbon footprint*
FSC® CertifiedPaperboard
100% PLANT-BASED MATERIALS
*vs. traditional carton with fossil fuel based liner
We have looked into glass a number of times. The biggest challenge is that producing one new glass bottle requires an incredible amount of energy/fuel. Because of this huge initial upfront energy requirement, glass underperforms paperboard cartons unless it gets reused 4-5 times, which is challenging because not everyone returns their glass jars. Glass is also considerably heavier than paper to transport, requiring more fuel for each trip.
Environmental Impact
|
Fully Renewable Carton |
Glass Bottles |
|
|---|---|---|
base material |
 |
|
Production |
|
 |
Transportation to manufacturer |
|
|
Transportation to producer |
|
|
post-consumer |
|
|
Our Fully Renewable Carton
- 100% PLANT-BASED MATERIALS
- FSC® CERTIFIED PAPERBOARD
- A SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT THAN TRADITIONAL CARTONS1
1 Study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
- MADE WITH 30% RECYCLED HOUSEHOLD PLASTIC
- REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT & C02 EMISSIONS
- REQUIRES LESS ENERGY TO MAKE
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CAN YOU RECYCLE OUR NEW RENEWABLE CARTON?
Yes, our fully renewable carton is recyclable if your local waste hauler accepts it.
Every waste hauler has different types of processing equipment as well as end markets for materials. We are actively working with the Carton Council to expand the number of waste haulers who accept cartons for recycling. Please remember to check with your local waste hauler to confirm they accept milk cartons.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF A MILK CARTON ISN’T RECYCLED?
Some counties will ask customers to place all items in one bin, and then do the sorting themselves. In these circumstances, you would have to ask your waste hauler if they sort out cartons.
If your local waste hauler doesn’t recycle cartons at all, then unfortunately, the cartons end up in the landfill. However, it is very important to understand what happens in the landfill as you evaluate the products you purchase given that cartons degrade considerably faster than plastic.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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WHAT DOES RENEWABLE MEAN?
Renewable means that the materials used to make the product can be re-grown, or “renewed.” Clover’s new renewable carton is made from a combination of FSC paperboard that is sourced from trees (which can be re-grown) and bioplastic that is sourced from sugarcane (also can be re-grown).
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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WHAT DOES RECYCLABLE MEAN?
Recyclable means that the materials can be reused in other applications. Unfortunately, in the case of plastic, it can only be downcycled a finite number of times (1-3) before the material degrades too much to be useful. At that point it ends up in the landfill and could take up to 450 years+ to biodegrade, if it ever degrades at all. Because plastic was only recently invented, it’s hard to say for certain how long it will actually take for it to biodegrade, which is why you will see varying estimates. For this reason, Clover is passionate about transitioning any of our products that are currently in plastic into other formats.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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WHAT DOES COMPOSTABLE MEAN?
Compostable means that all materials in the product or package will break down into—or become part of—usable compost safely and in about the same time as the materials with which it is composted. While this is, in fact, the legal FTC definition, it is important to note that most compost facilities need to be able to turn compost within 90 days, otherwise their business models are not economically viable.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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What is post-consumer recycled content?
Post-consumer recycled content is material that is made from the items that consumers recycle every day, like aluminum, cardboard boxes, paper, and plastic bottles.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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How is household plastic recycled into packaging?
These materials are typically collected by local recycling programs and shipped to recycling facilities to be sorted into bales, based on the material. The bales are then purchased and melted (or ground) into small pellets and molded into new items. The new PCR plastic material can then be used for a variety of finished products, including plastic gallon milk jugs. Post-consumer recycled plastic packaging may have a slightly darker appearance and is food safe and FDA approved.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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Is PCR content the same quality as current gallon milk jug plastic?
Currently, the company’s gallon milk jugs are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, commonly referred to as #2 plastic, which is one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs across the United States.
PCR packaging matches the quality of regular packaging including the same level of protection, barrier performance, and strength as regular plastic. PCR content will still block light, oxygen, and other gasses from penetrating the package layer and contaminating the product.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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Why is PCR plastic more sustainable?
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the circular economy can transform the future of plastic packaging as it focuses on transforming our throwaway economy into one where waste is eliminated, resources are circulated, and nature is regenerated. At Clover Sonoma, we are doing our part to contribute to a circular economy by helping close the loop on gallon milk jug recycling.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
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How is PCR plastic less harmful to the environment?
Recycled plastic is less wasteful than new plastic, because new plastic mostly comes from non-renewable fossil fuels like petroleum, which are hard on the environment. By contrast, recycled plastics require no “virgin” petroleum to be sourced and divert recycled materials from ending up in a landfill, so they alleviate much of the environmental burden.
Interested in more Info? Visit the Packaging and Recycling section on our FAQ page to learn more.
How sustainable are different types of packaging?
Environmental Impact
Base Material
Production
Transportation to manufacturer
Transportation to producer
Post-consumer
PCRJugFossil Fuels
Moderate energy needs for initial production
Shipped formed, requiring more trucks than cartons
Efficient product to packaging ratio, maximizes weight carried of product
Post consumer recycled material, 30% is from recycled material, reducing virgin material use
Fully Renewable CartonSustainable: Sugarcane Poly & FSC® Certified Paperboard
Moderate energy needs for initial production
Shipped flat, require significantly fewer trucks
Efficient product to packaging ratio
Requires energy to separate; paper can only be reused 4-5 times
Aseptic cartonsNot Sustainable: Paperboard, fossil fuel, polyethylene, aluminum
Moderate energy needs for initial production
Shipped flat, require significantly fewer trucks
Efficient product to packaging ratio
Requires substantial energy to separate layers; high level of contamination across materials
PlasticjugsNon Sustainable: Fossil Fuel
Moderate energy needs for initial production
Shipped formed, requiring more trucks than cartons
Efficient product to packaging ratio, maximizes weight carried of product
About 1-2 times and then downcycled to landfill
GlassBottlesSustainable: Sand
Extremely high energy needs for initial production
Heavy weight requires 40x the trucks vs paper or plastic
Inefficient product to packaging ratio
Can be reused infinite number of times
Check out our other initiatives and the impact we had in 2021!
Learn more
Family Farms & Manure Management
Smaller herd sizes + Ample pasture land = More sustainable family farming
When it comes to caring for cows, we believe size matters. Clover’s herd size is 1/3 the average California herd size. That means our farmers can keep a close eye on their herds and ensure their cows are in good health.
All Clover dairies recycle 100% of their manure production, either using it on farm as fertilizer or other capacities, or providing it to local organic farms.
Clover’s average herd size: 400 Cows
vs
California’s average herd size: 1,200 Cows
the scoop on poop
Healthy soil is the foundation of any sustainable farm. Livestock manure is a critical fertilizer in organic farming because it contains important nutrients to support soil health.
Organic farming
WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT
livestock manure
The only alternative is chemically-produced fertilizer. And that's just not our thing.
manure
is an excellent source of
plant nutrients
POTASSIUM, NITROGEN & PHOSPHORUS
K
N
P
manure
returns organic matter and
other nutrients
TO THE SOIL SUCH AS
CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM & SULFUR
Ca
Mg
S