Cut down on cow's milk
Swap to a dairy-free milk
Your Challenge
For some of us, eating more plant-based foods can feel like quite a challenge. So starting with small changes might be more achievable and still help you cut down your carbon footprint. Instead of putting dairy milk in your next cup of tea or coffee, why not try a plant-based alternative such as soy?
There are lots of different milks to try including: oats, rice, almond or coconut. There are even milks made from potatoes and peas, and all will have a smaller carbon footprint and require less land than cow’s milk. However, the ones with the lowest footprint are oat and soy [1]. There’s a useful comparison article that fully explains the differences, available on the Ethical Consumer Magazine website [1].
Before you begin this challenge, always make sure that you are eating a balanced diet and getting sufficient levels of calcium and vitamin D elsewhere, as these are often provided in dairy-based milks. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet that make impact your nutrition and health.
Why you're doing this
On average, a plant-based alternative has a third of the CO2 emissions footprint of cow’s milk. They also use much less land and water to produce. Milk is one of the most popular items in our fridge but also one of the most wasted, so switching this out in your daily routine will make a big difference over time.
How you'll make a difference
Using plant-based milk in place of cow’s milk, some or all of the time, will reduce your carbon footprint and reduce our reliance on dairy products. You might even find a new favourite.
It is time to #FixTheFoodSystem. By doing this challenge you are also taking part in WWF-UK’s Eat4Change campaign to encourage sustainable diets and join the fight for our planet.
Track your progress
in the My Footprint App
Track your progress and discover many more challenges in the My Footprint app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
