The latest Great Debate: Milk Jug Design

**lynnzop**[$] · #1 07-02-2008, 09:50 AM

Can't say I've seen these, but believe it or not, they are CONTROVERSIAL......

Anyone used them? I think the ability to stack them is interesting. Conventional milk jugs collapse, sometimes even when I am bringing them home from the market if they get bumped.

*emeleel* · #2 07-02-2008, 09:57 AM

I wish I could get milk for $2.18 - $2.58 per gallon! It's at least $3.58 anywhere around here, and yesterday I saw some name brand stuff for $6.08/gallon!

(And it wasn't even "specialty", just 2% name-brand Barber's milk.)

I dunno about the design. I could probably get used to it, but it looks like it would be really hard for kids. I have enough problems with milk spillage with regular containers!

**mtomm**[$] · #3 07-02-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

"Just tilt it slowly and pour slowly,"

Yes, this describes my 14 year old perfectly! Not!

I'm all for it but really not looking forward to the learning curve.

**amykhar** · #4 07-02-2008, 10:54 AM

I love that they're having to reteach people how to pour milk.

**mtomm**[$] · #5 07-02-2008, 10:57 AM

Someone invent a reusable spout. Hurry before they get to Idaho!

Magick1 · #6 07-02-2008, 11:49 AM

It's a really cool jug. We get our milk a lot a Costco and these have been available for the past 3 - 6 months (I cannot recall).

I enjoy them, they actually feel better in strength that the others and stack better, fit in my door and shelf in the frig better.

I have had a lot of problems recently with the old ones breaking at the bottom and they were not dropped. Just regular use.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #7 07-02-2008, 12:07 PM

I've not seen them.

**pluckyduck** · #8 07-02-2008, 12:19 PM

I am loving that milk jug design has ended up in the Symposium. What a perfect sign of our times.

Generally am happy that packaging is being rethought. I'm terribly lazy and selfish when it comes to the environment...so reduction appeals to me.

Still, non-choices foisted on consumers doesn't appeal. My oldest son has motor skill issues and a fair amount of difficulty dealing with normal milk jug design. We *just* started buying gallons after buying multiple half gallons all these years to give him a better shot of success.

We'll give the new jug a try, if we see it. Just, not on the wood floor.......

Magick1 · #9 07-02-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

pluckyduck said

I am loving that milk jug design has ended up in the Symposium. What a perfect sign of our times.

Generally am happy that packaging is being rethought. I'm terribly lazy and selfish when it comes to the environment...so reduction appeals to me.

Still, non-choices foisted on consumers doesn't appeal. My oldest son has motor skill issues and a fair amount of difficulty dealing with normal milk jug design. We *just* started buying gallons after buying multiple half gallons all these years to give him a better shot of success.

We'll give the new jug a try, if we see it. Just, not on the wood floor.......

Some are saying that these are actually easy to pour with...I haven't seen much of a difference.

**jgibson2**[$] · #10 07-02-2008, 12:31 PM

I usually pour the first cup of milk from a conventional jug over the sink, so I don't think I'll be seeing a lot of difference with the new ones. I hope the price reduction actually follows the new jugs and I'm delighted that they'll be doing away with those nasty milk crates.

It would also be nice to have a jug that won't leak if it tips in my trunk. Tired of that.

Oh, and Miss Manners would be asking why we don't all put our milk in a pitcher for serving. Maybe when I win the lottery and have folks to wait on me. Ya think?

Magick1 · #11 07-02-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

Oh, and Miss Manners would be asking why we don't all put our milk in a pitcher for serving. Maybe when I win the lottery and have folks to wait on me. Ya think?

Since I do the pouring for my "guests" and bring out their glasses, I am not too worried about that one!

And besides, isn't it more environmentally fashionable not to pour out the milk in a pitcher, have to wash that pitcher, thus using more soap, water, etc, than just having to wash the glasses?

I know, I am evil....

**jgibson2**[$] · #12 07-02-2008, 12:49 PM

In that case, I should just let the kids drink out of the jug.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #13 07-02-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

In that case, I should just let the kids drink out of the jug.

eris esoteric · #14 07-02-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

In that case, I should just let the kids drink out of the jug.

As long as everyone gets their own jug...

**mtomm**[$] · #15 07-02-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

In that case, I should just let the kids drink out of the jug.

For my boys they need to make a jug that the entire top screws off, then leave enough room to add cereal. It would save me washing a few mixing bowls.

**drmomentum**[$] · #16 07-02-2008, 02:46 PM

I'm not sure my daughter could handle pouring with the new design; we have enough trouble with the regular jugs.

That said, I welcome the new design if it is less wasteful.

If it were really tough to pour, we could get a reusable milk container for ourselves and transfer the milk after purchase. If it were enough of an issue, that's how I would solve the problem.

-JP

Magick1 · #17 07-02-2008, 03:15 PM

I like the idea of each having their own jugs & drinking directly!

**theworm**[$] · #18 07-02-2008, 09:08 PM

You know..... I'll bet they would take some getting used to, but I'm all for change that might be more efficient and save us some money. If its better for the retailers to transport and stock and it can save me a few cents, I'll learn how to pour from them.
I don't have kids, so that's not an issue for me, but honestly, I'm not sure that any young kid can easily pour from a full gallon of milk. It's not easy for me! We generally buy the half gallon size, but I'm willing to try. I have to buy lactose reduced milk and it's close to $4 for a HALF gallon!

wivabef · #19 07-04-2008, 12:33 AM

In Canada (at least, in Quebec and Ontario) I would visit my relatives and they had milk that came in bags. They would put it in a pitcher designed to hold the bag. I got used to it and wondered why it never caught on here in the states.

**drmomentum**[$] · #20 07-05-2008, 12:38 PM

For that natural feel AND less wasteful approach, I propose milk be distributed via spigot into large rubber containers that the consumers can purchase cheaply, similar to the reusable shopping bags.

The rubber containers would be conveniently shaped like udders, with families buying udders that accommodate any size family. One teat per family member. They could hang in a specially designed heavily-insulated cooling unit. Extra insulation would mean lower energy costs in cooling the milk. The cooling unit would need to be designed in such a way that glasses and bowls could be held underneath it with easy access to the udders.

Also, to maximize cooling efficiency, a lot of insulation would be needed, making this a fairly large unit. Just brainstorming here, but we'd need it to take a familiar and friendly shape.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #21 07-05-2008, 08:13 PM

(Has anyone else noticed James has been a little weird lately?)

JP, you have any vacation time from work to take? Maybe schedule a little R&R? ...