Müller completes clear caps transition

Müller Milk & Ingredients has successfully switched all its coloured milk bottle caps to clear, reducing dependency on virgin plastic by more than 1500 tonnes each year.

Following a trial in early 2022, the dairy company began converting coloured caps in winter last year across its dairies in Britain. This process is now complete and all private label and branded milk produced by Müller Milk & Ingredients carries a clear cap.

While Müller’s milk bottles, which are manufactured on site to eliminate the need for road transport of empty bottles, are fully recyclable and made of at least 30% recycled material (rHDPE), coloured caps cannot be recycled back into food grade packaging.

By switching all caps to clear, Müller can retain the material to make new caps and bottles within the food sector.

With demand for rHDPE outstripping supply, the move to a ‘closed loop system’ will increase its availability on the market by 1560 tonnes per annum (the equivalent of almost 1,000 small cars*), further reducing requirements for ‘virgin’ plastic.

Rob Hutchison, chief executive at Müller Milk & Ingredients, said:“Our milk bottles are 100% recyclable and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to date in increasing the recycled plastic content in these bottles, but we wanted to do more to increase sustainable practices within the dairy industry.

“Research carried out prior to our initial trial showed the vast majority of shoppers support the change to clear caps, so we know it’s just as important for consumers as well as our customers.

“We are proud to have led this industry change and will continue to look for more sustainable packaging solutions, ensuring we play our part in delivering a better future for British dairy.”

*based on MINI 3-door hatch (2023 model) kerb weight of 1610kg