SusannenoZ Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I am in a dilema, for years I have bought milk from the supermarket, I always try to buy organic british milk, occassionally if I run out I get it from the garage which usually isn't organic. I want to support small business and local trades people, and buy less from the supermarket, I already buy veg etc. from a farm shop, but although they do milk they don't do the big 4/6 pinters and the shop is 20 mins from me by car, so am thinking of having milk from the milk man who delivers on our estate, but what is the greenest option? me collecting almost a weeks supply from the supermarket in one go, by car, or having a milk delivery, the milkman doesn't have organic milk either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I think, if the milkman already delivers to your estate, then without doubt that would be the better option. For no other reason, than you are supporting (what I assume) is a small, local business, and taking a few pennies a day out of a supermarkets till. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Are you sure the mikman doesn't have organic milk? - the one in our village does. Also, the milk floats are often battery run if you aren't in too remote and area - unfortunately, ours is an ordinary diesel van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleata Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 ive been wondering the same thing. We dont buy organic milk but always ending up running out somewhere along the line. we buy 3 4pts and as OH has daily cappochino (sp?) or three we go thru it like it going out of sytle. We can recycle the plastic bottle they come in thru the kerbside collection scheme, but im not sure whats best. I would like to get it more locally, but not sure how to get in conact with a local distributor?? and wheather the petrol/diesel fumes coming out of the truck would be taking a backwards step for the environment. we dont drive so no fumes from us. well from OH perhaps The mind boggles doesnt it when you try your best for the environment, there just so much to thnk about. so i'm in a do i, dont i quandry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I would ask your milkman if he has organic milk. If he says not then ask if he could get some. Our local milkman very kindly delivers me bottles of organic semi-skimmed milk every week, more/less if needed. It is more expensive than the supermarkets, but it arrives in a lovely glass bottle that can be recycled. He also has a lovely electric milk float. He will also supply organic yoghurts, cheese, butter etc PS Does he get his milk from a local farm or does he belong to one of those chains like Express Dairies. I would have thought both these options would be able to provide organic milk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I think the Alcester milk man does stock organic milk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Here is an article about using the milk man for eco reasons How to Go Green. I think I willinvestigate this when we've moved.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcotton Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 I heard that there was a website being launched detailing local milkmen. I'm not sure if its up and running but its worth a search. If I can find the details I will post them. Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 I think, if the milkman already delivers to your estate, then without doubt that would be the better option. For no other reason, than you are supporting (what I assume) is a small, local business, and taking a few pennies a day out of a supermarkets till. I hear you chookie, but sadly most doorstep deliveries are made by milkies who work for one of the large dairy companies, such as Dairy Crest in our area. No little independant here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 I have organic semi-skimmed milk delivered by my milkman, on the door every morning by 8am, except for Fridays when he's later because he collects his money and it takes him longer. I'd argue that he's greener than Tesco's (or wherever) - I'm not a fan of supermarkets though so maybe I'm a little biased on that one But also I'm in favour of keeping up doorstep deliveries. There are a lot of elderly people in my neighbourhood, and our public transport links aren't great. Getting milk (& also other essentials such as bread, milk, eggs, poatoes and fruit juices.... our milkman is into diversification ) in all weathers makes their lives a little easier. My 90 year old NDN isn't into online shopping so that isn't an option for her, but she knows all about our milkman, his family and interests, and then another neighbour drives her to the supermarket once a week for the other bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 I heard that there was a website being launched detailing local milkmen. I'm not sure if its up and running but its worth a search. If I can find the details I will post them. Mel Mel, I think this is the website you are thinking of (mind reading Cookie.... ) http://www.findmeamilkman.net/ Cookie. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcotton Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 will have to go and have a look now thanks cookie! Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleata Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 i asked our milkman the milk is dairy crest and comes all the way from castle vale, thats like 20 miles i think(dont own a car). he uses a wacking great big diesel truck too I cant seem to find a local dist here in tamworth. if anyone knows one let me know. think ill just have to keep sending OH up the shop, but i wanted to get away from plastic botles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 I'd go for the milkman option. This is my reasoning: a) It's more eco-friendly as he's also doing other people's at the same time. b) The milk is usually by there at 7.30, milk in time for breakfast. c) They collect your bottles afterwards to wash and re-use. d) The service is very good and you can also request yoghurts etc. from him. What more reason do you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 ...there is one more reason! I'd be very sad to see milk rounds go altogether, as it is an invaluable service to anyone who is unable to get out easily. Someone housebound will be assured of regular milk at least, maybe bread, juice & yog too. Also, a milkman will prob. be the first person to realise that something is wrong, if someone hasn't taken their milk in. This is my main reason for keeping up my milk order, to support the service. Mine is delivered in plastic cartons though, as it's easier to drop of one instead of 4 bottles. But, I recycle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateB Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 I'd love to use our milkman but I will only buy organic milk as the animal welfare is better - what 'ordinary' dairy cows have to go through is just horrific. Our milkman only delivers organic milk by the pint in those tetra things which are very difficult to recycle - the only way to do is wash them, save them and then send them to a place up north but you encounter the expense for doing so. At least if I buy organic milk from the supermarket or farm shop I can buy it from an independent dairy such as Rachel's (won't buy organic supermarket brand milk either as I don't like supermarkets much...) and in a 4 pint plastic bottle which I can either reuse or recycle. If the milkman would supply such things I would happily pay more and get it from him but they aren't interested.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 see what you mean, KateB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 We have a milkman and I have just switched to organic which is Rachel's delivered in 1 pint tetrapaks. I am concerned though that it is so expensive this way. The milkman (dairy crest) charges 83p for a pint. I can buy a litre of organic milk from Riverford (with my veg box) for 96p. So I think I am going to do this once a week - probably 3 litres a time. Then I can buy any more I need locally. Or I could buy more from Riverford and freeze it. I am collecting my TetraPaks now in a cardboard box and will post them back to the company when it's full. Their website gives clear instructions on how to do this and you can even print off labels for the parcel. My neighbouring council apparently collects tetrapaks at some of its centres, so I might investigate this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I was about to try and dig this thread out to update it..... I have been trying for two weeks to get a milk delivery sorted with a local dairy. I don't want to use Express Dairies who also deliver round here as I would prefer to support a local company. But so far I have had no luck. I have sent 4/5 emails and made 2/3 phone calls and still haven't had my delivery. When I first chased them they told my the local delivery man said he left the milk on our step and it was still there the next morning. This is impossible because we are constantly in and out of the house and it would be impossible to miss it. Still no milk this morning Anyway - we are TRYING to get organic milk delivered - but it is considerably cheaper than yours Ginette, I have been quoted 64p per pint for organic But I don't know yet whether it will be Rachel's or something else..... i also looked into getting milk from my veg box delivery company - but it is Yeo Valley - so further away than Rachel's - which is what I can buy locally. Also - Yeo Valley use plastic cartons. I will let you all know how it goes when I eventually get it sorted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I remember when i was a kid collecting milk bottle tops - i think it may have been for a blue peter appeal? Or it muight have been a school thing but either way that wouldn't happen now would it??? I bet theres a lot of kids out there who haven't a clue what a milkman is! (says she who buys her organic milk from sainsburys ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I wanted my local milkmas head a while back It was a co-op company and the guy drives this really noisy diesel engine vehicle which he would go screaming past the house in 2nd gear at 3am to deliver to one house on the estate At the time I wasn't sleeping very well and the noise this thing made woke me every night with a fright and I couldn't get back to sleep I mentioned it to some of the neighbours and some of them were also being woken at 3am and didn't realise this was why I even approached the guy to ask him to please slow down and be quieter but he was an ignorant s**t Fortunately the family who got the delivery have now moved on I am all for supporting local business etc but not at the expense of sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...