In a South Australian first, local premium dairy Fleurieu Milk Company (FMC) has unveiled an innovative reusable milk keg program.

It promises to dramatically reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles and so contribute to less plastic ending up in landfill and our oceans.

The project also sees FMC introduce new one-litre refillable glass milk bottles, allowing patrons of farmers’ markets, supermarkets and retail outlets to play their part in sustainability.

The first keg and glass bottle was poured this morning, Wednesday 11 October at the Adelaide Central Market Fleurieu Milk stall.

It will now be rolled out in supermarkets and hospitality venues across the state.

FMC General Manager Nick Hutchinson says the Myponga-based company, has long been committed to minimising its environmental impact and carbon footprint – and the exciting reusable milk keg project ticks both boxes.

“Fleurieu Milk Company is excited to be leading our industry, in bringing something totally new to market, something that’s good for the industry and good for the environment,” he says.

“The process eliminates single-use plastic, with each 18-litre keg replacing nine two-litre plastic milk bottles. 

“With each keg having a 10-year lifespan, our customers will eliminate the need for 7,000 single-use plastic bottles over a keg’s lifespan.

“That’s just one keg, and as one plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to break down, this is a real gamechanger.”

Nick says FMC has invested some $350,000 to upgrade equipment at its factory to clean and refill the kegs.

They are supplied by Tasmanian-based reusable primary packaging manufacturer, The Udder Way – in line with international health and safety standards.

The process is simple: the customer makes a one-off purchase of an approved Fleurieu Milk glass bottle, brings it to a Fleurieu Milk supply point, has it filled, pays for it, takes it home and consumes the milk. 

Once the bottle is empty, it is cleaned at home, according to supplier instructions.

When the 18-litre keg runs dry, FMC collects, cleans and refills it with milk before returning it to the outlet. And so the process starts again.

“We are proud to lead the way in this circular economy milk supply chain project as part of our business model, where customers can join us in playing a role in conserving resources and reducing waste,” Nick says.

“Conservation of our environment is something we as a business and as community members, are committed to – from protecting the clean, green and pristine farmlands of the Fleurieu Peninsula where our cows graze, to simple choices we can make at home to lessen our impact on the world around us.”

The project already has 288 kegs in circulation, which equates to over two-million plastic bottles.

Given the high level of interest, Nick and the FMC team expect many more markets, supermarkets, retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and cafes to sign up to the initiative.

“There’s a groundswell of people keen to do something about consuming less energy and fossil fuels going towards manufacturing plastic, not to mention eager to see less plastic end up in landfill and our fragile oceans,” Nick says.

Currently, bottles can be filled at the Willunga Farmers’ Market, the Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market, the Adelaide Central Market, the Fleurieu Milk factory door and other selected stores across Adelaide and greater South Australia.