Powdered plant milk: a game changer for sustainability and recycling
Plant milk is regarded as an eco-friendly option to dairy milk, but the packaging is creating an environmental disaster.
The problem lies in two places - first, liquid plant milks are over 90% water by volume, increasing the packing and transportation emissions produced. Secondly, that water means long life liquid plant milks need to be packed in aseptic cartons that cannot be easily recycled in Australia.
Aseptic cartons are made from a composition of paper, foil and plastic making liquid contents shelf stable. They require specialised hydropulping processing facilities very few recycling facilities in Australia are equipped with, and therefore the cartons are sent to landfill.
Bare*ly Mylk, a participant in this year’s Generator Accelerator program, has developed a solution by removing the water entirely and providing plant milk as a powder. A powdered alternative is lighter to transport, reducing energy, resources and emissions and the problematic packaging. It also greatly increases the shelf life, without needing refrigeration. Their vision is simple; they are making plant milk ‘barely packaged’.
According to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Australian Packaging Consumption & Recovery Data 2021–22, this year 55,000 tonnes of Aseptic Polymer Coated Paper Board (PCPB) will go to landfill.
Bare*ly Mylk estimates that 25 per cent (13,750 Tonnes, or 344 million units) of this is from plant milk cartons. A Tetrapak Life Cycle Analysis of aseptic cartons shows that this will create 25,000 tonnes of CO2 this year, amounting to a total of 180,000 tonnes of packaging waste by 2034.
Barely Mylk founders (L-R) Ryan Gan, Kaylee Jones, Mark Prewer
Founders Mark Prewer - Monash Alumni, Business and IT, Kaylee Jones - Monash Alumni, Commerce and Global Studies and Ryan Gan - Monash Alumni, Commerce and Finance have built their startup business on their passion for sustainability, and love of plant milk. Their collective mission is to make plant milk even better for the planet and for people.
Kaylee Jones explained that through their business development process they confirmed plant milk drinkers do care about the environment, but they also value convenience and functionality. “Our powder importantly reduces the environmental impact of liquid plant milks, and is made with the planet in mind. But our product is also made for people, it’s great tasting, versatile, convenient, and long-life without any need for refrigeration. Just add water, shake, and enjoy,” she added.
“The Generator Accelerator Program has given us a framework to develop our product and business strategy. It will put Bare*ly Mylk in a strong position to go to market,” said Mark Prewer.
“Bare*ly was born from our desire to learn, grow and make a positive impact - we’ll always push ourselves and never want to let off the innovative throttle,” he added.
Co-founder Ryan Gan commented, “powdered options are all taste and less waste! Not only can we put greater volumes of milk in less packaging, but we can use packaging materials that can go in your mainstream recycling bins.”
The first product, available in 2025, is powdered oat milk. It has the same flavour, taste, and froth-ability as typical liquid versions but with a longer shelf life. The versatility also makes it perfect to take travelling or even camping.
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