Ashgrove Dairy and The Udder Way: Saving the Planet, One Keg at a Time

In a world drowning in plastic, some partnerships rise above the rest. Enter Ashgrove Dairy and The Udder Way—two Tasmanian trailblazers who decided it was time to shake up the dairy industry. Since teaming up, they’ve saved a jaw-dropping 1.2 million plastic bottles from landfill and are currently eliminating 8,000 bottles every week. That’s not just progress; that’s a full-on sustainability revolution.

Let’s dive into how Ashgrove Dairy became the first-ever dairy to fully embrace The Udder Way’s reusable kegs and why this game-changing innovation is something to cheer about.

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From Plastic Problem to Keg-tastic Solution

Ashgrove Dairy has always been about top-notch milk and cheese, but even the best dairies face the same pesky issue: plastic bottles. We’re talking mountains of them. Globally, billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills or oceans every year. And despite all the recycling hype, only 9% of plastic waste actually gets recycled. The rest? Well, it’s not pretty.

Ashgrove knew they had to do better. Enter The Udder Way, led by the ever-inventive Ed Crick. Their idea? Swap single-use plastic bottles for reusable kegs. It’s simple, brilliant, and exactly what the industry needed. These kegs cut out plastic waste entirely, keeping milk fresh and flowing without a bottle in sight.

The Bold First Step

In 2020, Ashgrove Dairy took the plunge and became the first dairy in the world to use The Udder Way’s keg system. Cafés, restaurants, and food businesses could now pour milk straight from these sleek, reusable kegs. No more plastic cluttering up the bins. No more guilt about contributing to pollution.

For Ashgrove, this wasn’t just a business move. It was a chance to lead by example, proving that innovation and sustainability could go hand-in-hand.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

And boy, have they made a difference! Here’s the impact so far:

- 1.2 million plastic bottles saved – That’s about 24,000 kg of plastic kept out of landfills and oceans.

- 60 tonnes of CO₂ emissions prevented by avoiding the production and transportation of plastic bottles.

- 8,000 bottles eliminated every week – Imagine stacking that many bottles. Now imagine them gone!

These aren’t just stats; they’re proof that real change is possible when businesses dare to do things differently.

Why Businesses Love It

Switching to The Udder Way’s kegs isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a win for businesses, too. Here’s why they’re jumping on board:

- Less Fuss, More Efficiency: No more lugging around dozens of bottles. Kegs are easy to handle, store, and clean.

- Cost Savings: Fewer bottles mean lower waste disposal costs and fewer deliveries.

- Fresher Milk: Kegs keep milk fresh longer by reducing exposure to air and light.

- Happy Customers: Eco-conscious customers love supporting businesses that ditch plastic.

Leading the Charge

Ashgrove Dairy and The Udder Way are showing the dairy industry how it’s done. Their partnership is a blueprint for a future where single-use plastic bottles are ancient history. The best part? This isn’t some far-off dream—it’s happening right now.

If more dairies join the movement, the potential impact is mind-blowing: millions more bottles saved, tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided, and cleaner oceans for all.

Ready to Join the Revolution?

If you’re a business owner, a dairy producer, or someone who’s tired of drowning in plastic waste, here’s your chance to make a change. The Udder Way’s keg system is ready to roll, and Ashgrove Dairy’s success proves it works.

Together, we can turn the tide on plastic waste and make sustainable practices the new normal.

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Ashgrove Dairy and The Udder Way are blazing the trail. Who’s ready to follow?