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A bulk milk dispenser in a school cafeteria

Fresh Results: How Bulk Milk Dispensers Cut Waste in Schools

  • Date: 17 October 2024
  • Author: Madalen Howard

In 2022, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Triangle Associates released a study showcasing the transformative benefits of replacing traditional milk cartons with bulk milk dispensers in K-12 schools. This research demonstrated that such a switch can dramatically cut packaging and milk waste, reduce school expenses, and boost student nutrition by increasing milk consumption. To help schools make this change, WWF’s report detailed several real-world school examples, with both milk and cost savings data, and a Cost Savings Estimate Calculator for schools to model their own potential savings. Now, a recent pilot project in Washington State offers compelling new evidence that bulk milk dispensers could be a game changer when it comes to reducing food waste in school cafeterias across the country.


The Case for Bulk Milk Dispensers

School cafeterias in the US serve 275 million half-pint milk cartons daily, yet 45 million gallons of this is milk are discarded annually—equivalent to filling 68 Olympic-size swimming pools. The environmental toll is severe, with wasted milk contributing significantly to CO2 emissions and excessive water use.

WWF’s 2022 study found that bulk milk dispensers, which hold three to five gallons of milk in reusable containers, could address this issue effectively. These dispensers allow students to serve themselves (and take only what they need) in reusable cups, drastically cutting down on both milk and packaging waste. Schools that have made the switch report considerable savings and environmental benefits. For instance, a middle school in Marion County, Oregon, reduced its milk waste by 83% within a year, while Bluestone Elementary School in Virginia saw a 91% decrease in packaging waste.

New Insights from Washington State Pilot Program

We now have new data highlighting the benefits of bulk milk dispensers. In 2023, six schools in Washington State participated in milk waste audits, with one school completing a pilot program to transition to bulk milk. Triangle Associates led the audits and pilot on behalf of Waste Management (WM), funded by WWF.

The audits showed that 3.1 gallons of milk and 5.1 pounds of cartons were thrown away daily. In response, a cafeteria in Snohomish County, Washington serving both an elementary and middle school, launched a pilot program in fall 2023, switching from disposable cartons to a bulk milk dispenser with reusable cups.

Before the transition, the school in the pilot program served 13.1 gallons of milk daily, with 4.5 gallons (34.4%) wasted. After switching to bulk dispensers, milk waste dropped to less than 2 gallons per day—a 56% reduction.

The pilot program also revealed that students responded positively to the change. They reported that the milk tasted colder and fresher, and they enjoyed serving themselves from the dispensers. Staff members noted that the new system did not significantly add to their workloads, and they valued the decreased waste and increased student nutrition that resulted from the switch.

A Sustainable Solution with Future Potential

The Washington State pilot program has sparked increased interest in bulk milk dispensers across the region. Although the program was small in scale, the positive outcomes suggest that broader adoption of this system could lead to significant environmental and financial benefits for schools.

Bulk milk dispensers offer a simple yet impactful way for schools to reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance sustainability. WWF, in collaboration with partners like Triangle Associates and Seattle Public Schools, continues to support schools in this transition to reduce food waste, providing resources such as toolkits, case studies, and how-to guides for schools looking to set up low cost solutions like share tables (where students can place and take unopened food items that would otherwise be thrown away). Here are some of the steps you can take today to see if bulk milk dispensers are a good idea for your school:

As more schools adopt this approach, the environmental and financial benefits will continue to grow, and more students will learn first-hand the simple ways they can reduce food waste—paving the way for a more sustainable future in school cafeterias nationwide.

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