I think this is one of those few times I am glad something "larger" is trumping design/experience concerns. If this jug design becomes relatively ubiquitous then the consumer will adjust. They will complain but will learn a way to use it. I mean, really, that seems to be the logic behind every single cell phone interface design!

I'm really glad that a large company like Walmart is throwing their weight behind this. I'd rather see them use their market muscle to do something serving an eco purpose (and serving their bottom line) than their usual use of muscle (suppliers on the global prowl for the dirt-cheapest prices, labor and economy be damned).

Ikea will often advertise how packable their goods are when bulk shipped and will cite that as a reason their costs are lower.

I agree... and it also opens the possibility that a future redesign could make it easier to pour, while still being green, packable, etc.

Sorry, that shape just screams "Cleaning Fluid" to me. Floor shampoo comes in a bottle just like that (only yellow). I don't think I'd feel great serving milk (the ultimate traditional "wholesome" drink) to my kids out of a cleaning fluid bottle.

...and with the balance issues that must be associated with that shape, the kids certainly won't be able to pour for themselves.

Who gets through a gallon of milk before it goes off?

We actually create far more waste from throwing away food than we do by reducing packaging.

Not that i'm against reducing packaging. A mighty fine thing to do. In the UK we used to recycle glass milk bottles that were delivered to our door in electric carts.

While in europe, the majority of milk is UHT and delivered in plastic bags (the reason for this being that southern europe has warmer weathers and less cows than the UK)

Wow, didn't think i had so much to say about such a small thing. I hope the facts are right.

Cheers
Dan

Plastic bags are a HUGE environmental problem, particularly the ones at the grocery store.

Screams cleaning fluid to me, as well. Also, i just don't like the design of the bottle.

Screams cleaning fluid to me, as well. Also, i just don't like the design of the bottle.

I'd just like to point out that some of us in the UK still use recycled glass milk bottles delivered daily by electric milk float to our door. SO much nicer than a trip down to [insert local, so-called "super", market here]

Fine for a family for four, maybe. Like Dan Phillips, I was wondering who would get through this much milk before it went off. I can get through about a liter (1/4 gallon) in about week but that's only because I have cereal every morning and even then the milk can be starting to turn by the end of the week. Better to have a few smaller, recyclable (glass) bottles than this huge amount in one container.

Our family goes through 5 gallons of milk a week (2 teens, 1 grade-schooler, 2 milk-drinking parents). We recycle a LOT of plastic jugs already, this is a great way to reduce overall weight. I'll adjust to cleaning fluid-looking jugs to leave a cleaner planet for my kids to inherit.

These do not reduce packaging, in fact I suspect that there is a bit more plastic in each jug.

They are greener because they are more space-efficient, so more milk can get on each truck, and because they do not need the heavy plastic milk crates that must be trucked back to the dairy and sanitized.

As to the pouring troubles .. that will fade away as people figure it out. I have always had trouble with the first pour out of a fresh gallon of milk!

I think this is a fantastic idea -- it should be done with more products! The benefits are a fair trade-off for the pouring troubles. As noted here, I'm sure that will be addressed in the next go-around.

Although I am with Sarah on this one -- it looks like a gallon of bleach. The slightly paranoid might consider telling their children milk is only safe to drink if it comes out of the fridge... and no drinking the Fabuloso under the sink...