Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink
We’ve had many discussions the last 18 months at the office about deconstruction and reconstruction…and the constant need to push for enhanced creative problem solving in everything we do including questioning every single part of every process.
It’s a hard thing to do continuously. And often people don’t speak out because they think their idea is just too stupid or different to work. Frankly its an exhausting process because you really have to push yourself and everyone to look from a new perspective and question everything. I sometimes wonder if the benefits will actually payoff especially because most of the changes we make are simple.
But when I saw the new square milk jug at Costco and was curious enough to read about it, I found it surprisingly energizing psychologically even though the packaging and transportation of milk is about as far removed from what we do as anything you could imagine.
It just struck me as such a simple solution with such massive benefits. Yet I’d bet at first the idea seemed too stupid or different to be workable. Most things that end up being great seem to start as far fetched ideas because they break from tradition or convention.
To me, the new square plastic milk jug is a great example of creative problem solving. And the result of people with the guts enough to get past the “well that’s too different to work” syndrome. The result is a win win any way you look at it. They’re square which makes them stackable and compact in trucks and on shelves. The jugs are less expensive because of easier, more efficient shipping (you can ship more at one time). The elimination of milk crates saves labor, water and fuel. So it costs less for the retailer and less for the consumer. Less labor and steps means fresher milk in the store. AND it’s better for the environment. Better all the way up and down the chain…just because of a simple shape change. The only downside seems to be that it’s taking consumers some time to get used to them because they pour different. But in the end, it’s worth the relearning because of the payoff.
I feel more motivated. Maybe I’ll have a glass of milk to fortify me. As soon as I master pouring without spilling.
This post was written by: Kim Mickelsen
July 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I suppose my question is: Why didn’t they create something that poured out the side than the top? Might have helped improve pouring.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
While these new cartons are good in theory – no one seems to be talking about the fact that it takes more resin to mold these gallon jugs and that doesn’t exactly help the environment. Also, the milk still has to be palletized and plastic wrapped to get to the stores. The “old fashioned” milk crates are completely recyclable because they are sterilized and put back into the assembly line – except for those few stragglers that make it to college dorm rooms.