The state government has provided $100,000 to help expand the Fleurieu Milk Company’s innovative milk keg initiative to reduce the need for plastic milk containers in cafes and restaurants.

The reusable milk keg and glass bottle model is slashing the number of plastic milk cartons used in the local hospitality industry with 128,000 less plastic bottles used since it was first rolled out in October last year.

The funding will be used will upscale the reusable milk filling system via an enhanced digital platform and traceability tracking system.

The upgrades and expansion of the program is expected to see 1000 kegs delivered weekly, saving 9000 plastic milk containers weekly, or about 500,000 annually.

The funding boost comes ahead of the phasing out of more single use plastic products from 1 September 2024.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close says surveys have shown overwhelming public support for banning single use plastics which are a significant source of pollution including to waterways.

“South Australia is a recognised national leader in state’s transition to a more circular economy and continues to support circular economy market development. 

“South Australian business, industry and organisations are increasingly looking at new ways of doing business via circular economy business models, practices and circular products and materials. 

“Since 2018 more than $2 million has been provided to develop and test more circular practices that can be scaled up, repeated, and easily adopted by other South Australian businesses.

“Seeing the Fleurieu Milk Company closing the loop on their resources is going to have an immediate benefit for the environment and for a more circular economy.”

Nick Hutchinson is General Manager of Fleurieu Milk. “In October 2023, we launched our reusable milk keg and glass bottle model for purchasing fresh milk to addresses the very high volumes of plastic waste in the dairy industry. 

“We've reduced the need for over 128,000 plastic milk bottles with our kegs, each one featuring a QR code, so our customers can track how many plastic milk bottles they’ve avoided. 

“Recognising the potential of reusable glass bottles in the dairy industry, we are gathering data on their usage to understand their environmental impact better. 

“This grant funding will enable the development of a ‘Fleurieu Milk Co. app’, allowing consumers to monitor their reduction in single-use bottles and earn rewards for sustainable practices.”

Director of Adelaide Zoo Dr Phil Ainsley says as a conservation charity, Zoos SA is proud to be leading the way in sustainability and collaborating with Fleurieu Milk Company. 

“Plastic pollution poses a huge threat to all species and by eliminating plastic milk carton waste here at Adelaide Zoo we can have a direct impact on protecting local habitats of our native species.

“Unfortunately, in the wild, Australian natives are at serious risk of extinction. Every effort to keep native habitats free of plastics, such as the caps and rings from plastic milk bottles that often end up in marine environments and picked up by native birds, is incredibly important.

“In 2022, Zoos SA was named a plastic-free champion for eliminating key single use plastic including straws, non-certified compostable coffee cups and lids, cutlery, plates, and it’s great to be building on this momentum with Fleurieu Milk Company’s milk taps at Adelaide Zoo.”