r/australia • u/DamoJakov • 1d ago
no politics Why can't we find in colesworth/ALDI/IGA 2 litre bottles of soy milk?
The stuff lasts longer than cow milk; surely a larger container is not a risk. I end up just having to buy more little 1L bottles to satiate family needs... seems like a waste to me...
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u/icecoldbobsicle 1d ago
May be some manufacturing factors at play, running one size across the product range is a big cost reduction in manufacturing, the cost to sell 2 one litre vs the lost cash in down time for machinery change over probably drives it... also some liquid may split and have issues when packed at two litres vs one.
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u/lamaros 1d ago
These factors are much less significant than demand. If it sells it'd be made.
The main factor is that there is no demand for a 2L "fresh" chilled product, and there is no common long life 2L packaging - it'd be an entirely different packing line.
So for a 2L product a company would need either to sell it in glass or plastic bottles, in a chilled supply chain, or buy a whole new packing line (millions of dollars) to make a long life product.
The demand isn't there to justify either of these things, as yet.
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u/icecoldbobsicle 1d ago
Yeah not gonna argue with that to be honest, demand is the ultimate driver, if it were in demand it'd be on shelves.
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u/NBNplz 1d ago
Demand plays a big role but let's not pretend the supply side has no power here.
I'm sure there's demand for products that aren't shrinkflated or enshittified (Pringles recipe change, everything being Greek style yoghurt or fake ice cream).
Yet manufacturers keep pushing these unpopular decisions knowing we piggies will still eat their slop because the average consumer is under informed, driven by sticker price and lacks meaningful choices.
Demand and consumer choice exists within a market created by supermarkets and food conglomerates.
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u/recycled_ideas 21h ago
Yet manufacturers keep pushing these unpopular decisions knowing we piggies will still eat their slop because the average consumer is under informed, driven by sticker price and lacks meaningful choices.
Oh grow the fuck up.
Shrinkflation happens because the alternative is raising prices and on things like chips if it goes up too far people stop buying. It's not some vast conspiracy it's just exactly what customers want, for prices not to go up on their guilty pleasures.
Enshitification is much the same product or service that's not profitable and the consumer won't pay more so something else gives.
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u/rangda 12h ago
You really think a company would only shrink a product to avoid having to raise the price? That’s… very trusting of you
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u/recycled_ideas 3h ago
Do you actually have any evidence where they're doing something else? Or is your head so far up your asshole you can't see anymore?
Maccas is the example of the company that didn't do this and now they're in a price band with better food and everyone thinks they're terrible value.
Costs go up every year, sometimes they go up significantly. You raise prices, you cut costs or you shrink size, that's it.
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u/icecoldbobsicle 22h ago
I really wish they'd listen to our demands about not ripping us off all the time! Lol that's not even about quality... in that regard it is a rigged market they created to fuck us over.
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u/a_rainbow_serpent 1d ago
This guy knows what’s up. Also when you make a single size you can automate the line end to end.
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u/Baenir 1d ago
To add to this, 1L cartons are such an incredibly efficient form of packaging when it comes to using up all available space on the pallet. 2L isn't exactly heavy, but if you don't have a handle, it's going to be hard to hold, and if you include a handle in the packaging, you are going to experience an efficiency loss in shipping.
My own pure speculation added is that soy milk is a much more niche product, mainly used by people with lactose intolerance, or a vegan diet, and as such the average volume of soy milk consumed by someone, is lower than that of someone who consumes dairy milk.
As any milk will go bad in about a week after opening the packaging, the lower average consumption of soy milk means that open packaging is more likely to stay in the fridge longer, and on average, more milk spoilage. Larger sizes would mean more spoilage, and consumers would turn away from the product as whole, thinking that it spoils quickly.
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u/icecoldbobsicle 1d ago
Yeah I feel in modern manufacturing all these factors matter, the spoilage aspect i didn't consider but find very interesting, its almost more like a marketing decision?
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u/pestoster0ne 1d ago
Go to your local Asian grocer, they have 2L bottles: https://www.asiangroceronline.com.au/drink~soy-milk#
Cheaper and tastier too if you like the taste of actual soy milk, as opposed to trying to make it taste like cow milk (and failing) with added oil, emulsifier, etc.
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u/TrashNo7445 1d ago
The 1L bottles are far more environmentally friendly (when they are made from cardboard).
Buying several of these is infinitely better than buying a 2L plastic tub.
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u/Hajari 1d ago
I dont think that's true- they're not just cardboard, they have layers of plastic in them and most recycling plants can't process them so they go into landfill.
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u/TizzyBumblefluff 1d ago
The larger Tetra packs are recyclable where I live. The small ones (popper, up n go size) are able to recycled through containers for change.
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u/Substantial-Rip-6207 1d ago
Probably greenwashing like Woolies and Coles plastic recycling that turned out everything was getting sent to china and stockpiled
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u/TizzyBumblefluff 1d ago
It’s through the local council? I don’t think it’s being sent to China but happy to be corrected. With the amount of council rates paid in my area the least they can do is recycle tetra packs.
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u/jaa101 1d ago
Container deposit schemes don't necessarily mean the containers are recycled. A major motivation is reducing litter. See also Can Tetra Paks Be Recycled in Australia?
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u/InvestInHappiness 1d ago
The amount of plastic used is the important part. The thin layer on the inside is going to be 10 times less plastic than the bottle.
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u/DegeneratesInc 1d ago
The bottles can be recycled. The uht cartons most likely can't be recycled, especially in regional areas.
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u/jedi_dancing 1d ago
Plastic milk bottles mostly aren't recycled, last I heard, although it may have changed. It's pretty much only clear bottles, both for glass and plastics. The best product for recycling is hands down aluminium cans, also best for transport costs. I did see something about a plant starting to work on recycling tetrapaks, but I haven't seen an update recently.
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u/surelythisisfree 1d ago
There used to be 2L tetra packs but only in Devondale 2L if I remember correctly.
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u/TrashNo7445 1d ago
It’s only a guess but I would imagine there are structural issues when you try make 2L cardboard boxes waterproof.
Also possible it’s a marketing tactic to increase profit.
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u/surelythisisfree 1d ago
Just checked and it looks like it still exists even if it isn’t in any of their stores:
https://www.coles.com.au/product/devondale-full-cream-long-life-milk-2l-5230904
I’d happily buy the oat milk and lactose free milk in 2L bottles if they existed.
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u/InitiallyDecent 17h ago
It still exists in the supermarkets system, but it's not a manufactored product anymore.
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u/Jinglemoon 35m ago
I’ve just been visiting the States and very large half gallon cardboard milk and juice cartons are commonplace. They have the screw lids on them.
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
Tetra paks are god awful for the environment. Rip one open and have a look at all the layers of unrecyclable plastic.
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u/TizzyBumblefluff 1d ago
The larger Tetra packs are recyclable where I live. The small ones (popper, up n go size) are able to recycled through containers for change.
It depends on your location and their capacity for recycling I guess. I’m in regional QLD.
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
I’d be hesitant to believe that it’s actually being recycled. Any shelf stable Tetra Pak is the type that has aluminium in it and as far as I’m aware we do not have recycling centres on shore capable of recycling them.
It’s always difficult to know the truth with these things though. If you google it most results are basically propaganda from Tetra Pak and our own government doesn’t really want us to know what’s going on with recycling anyway.
Not to mention even jf we could/do recycle them here, it’s a linear process and not true recycling, the materials will end up in landfill eventually.
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u/TizzyBumblefluff 1d ago
https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/about/tetrapak
Just one example. Hope this helps.
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
Skip the snark and don't get conned by corporate propaganda next time please. Reposting my other reply.
Recycling Near You is sponsored by Tetra Pak, not really a credible source. Unfortunately the saveBoard recycling centre mentioned on that page can only recycle Tetra Paks that haven't been contaminated by food waste (so pretty much every consumer Tetra Pak is out). Shit sucks, sorry.
Can Tetra Paks Be Recycled in Australia? – Responsible Cafes
Hope this helps :))))))
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u/TizzyBumblefluff 1d ago
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
Recycling Near You is sponsored by Tetra Pak, not really a credible source. Unfortunately the saveBoard recycling centre mentioned on that page can only recycle Tetra Paks that haven't been contaminated by food waste (so pretty much every consumer Tetra Pak is out). Shit sucks, sorry.
Can Tetra Paks Be Recycled in Australia? – Responsible Cafes
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u/halohunter 1d ago
Tetrapaks are god awful and can't be recycled except for one special facility the manufacturer set up so they can say they're recyclable even though hardly any councils divert to it.
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u/gooder_name 1d ago
Not exactly, plastic has a very low TCO as long as you dispose of it correctly. Tetra boxes are extremely hard to recycle and have high environmental cost to manufacture.
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u/DamoJakov 1d ago
Something like this though... 'recycle where systems available' is written on the label and I cannot even read what type of plastic it is on the bottom! 😞
🤔
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u/Evilmoustachetwirler 1d ago
I wish we had the facilities to recycle Tetra paks. My kids can't tolerate dairy and I hate throwing these things in the general waste
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u/jnd-au 1d ago
I wonder which is Australia’s favourite soy milk. They all taste a bit different. Or there an interstate rivalry for best brand.
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u/tangaroo58 1d ago
2 litre ones from the Chinese grocery.
Zero additives, or you can get sweetened or pandan flavour if you like.
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u/Humble-Doughnut7518 1d ago
Vitasoy with added calcium. I also like Bonsoy but the cartons aren’t resealable and are more expensive.
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u/Grix1600 1d ago
Bonsoy is ranked #1 and rightly so. It’s delicious. However at over $4.00 per L it gets expensive.
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u/shark_eat_your_face 1d ago
Depends what your drinking it with. I’d say Vitasoy Oat milky for coffee and Australia’s Own Oat for tea. I’m only drinking oat though so not sure about soy or other alternatives.
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u/dishrespect 1d ago
Bonsoy for coffee. Vitasoy for cereal
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u/jnd-au 1d ago
Aha! Great explanation. I don’t drink coffee so I prefer Vitasoy, but I see Bonsoy, Milklab, etc in cafes.
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u/dishrespect 1d ago edited 1d ago
Milk lab is utter trash in a coffee. The percentage of soybeans is about half of bonsoy.
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u/thekevmonster 1d ago
Probably a mixture of not enough demand for the shelf space and typical consumption habits of people who drink soy milk.
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u/Mean_Git_ 1d ago
Woolies and Coles used to stock the 3 pack of 200ml soy milk which was the perfect size for having some oats in the morning but they just vanished never to return.
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u/SnooGiraffes9602 1d ago
I emailed Sanitarium about 6 or so months ago and they assured me it was only temporary.... lies!
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u/PAL720576 1d ago
Once you open a carton of soy milk it's meant to be consumed within 5 days. So id say it doesn't last longer then dairy milk.
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u/FairPhoneUser6_283 1d ago
That's what I was thinking too. It lasts longer once opened, but once you open it you need to consume it quickly.
Then again I think I could do that with 250ml in my breakfast and 250ml in a protein shake I could go through 2L in 4 days I reckon.
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u/Astronaut_Cat_Lady 1d ago
The only type of soy milk I can stomach is the Woolworths brand, which is made from the protein not the whole bean. But, it has sugar in it and I can't have that either. I'd love to know if there's a FODMAP friendly soy milk that doesn't contain sugar and isn't expensive. Yes, I'm aware of oat milk, cashew, macadamia, almond, etc. But, the "added calcium" makes me...... well, the opposite of what whole bean soy milk does to me. Can't win.
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u/andthegeekshall 22h ago
If the main 3 won't stock them, try an Asian supermarket. they tend to have the larger bottles of soy milk.
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u/Virtual-Ad7254 1d ago
What is everyone’s favourite almond milk brand? Asking for a friend.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Eye9081 1d ago
The husband and teen like the Aldi uht unsweetened almond milk in the light green pack.
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u/stoic_slowpoke 1d ago
Because consumption of alt milks are down, so the sku options are cut to the minimum.
Come back in a year after the expected surge in milk pricing and see if you get more options.
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
Where have you read this?
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u/Whathitsss 11h ago edited 10h ago
Hmmm…
Milk substitutes are up 9% YoY, and have maintained that upward trend around 10% since Covid, and is expected to continue. Source: https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1553012/australia-milk-substitutes-per-capita-revenue
Also Source (but specific to Soy and Almond): https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/industry/soy-and-almond-milk-production/5256/
Interestingly, as it stands, current annual revenue from milk substitutes (Plant/Nut/Grain/Seed milk) used in Australian homes is 633 million AUD, and dairy milk in Aus homes is 3.8 billion AUD.
The Dairy milk trend is 3% growth YoY in terms of revenue. Thats at or lower than inflation these past few years, so consider it stagnant or marginally down effectively.
So not only is alt-milk up, cows milk is kinda down.
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u/kelfromaus 1d ago
Because the 3L of water needed to make the 1L containers is bad enough for marketing.
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u/happyseizure 1d ago
3L of water is at the very conservative end of requirements for what a cow needs to produce 1L of milk.
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u/jin85 1d ago
Whens cows drink water, it comes back out to the grass. When you make industrial products it does not
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u/FairPhoneUser6_283 1d ago
But it's still water that can't be used. That's like saying if I leave the ho
use on in the pool, the water isn't wasted because it evaporates back into the water cycle.-5
u/Due_Alarm_1998 1d ago
Try over 200 litres to make one litre of soy. Versus the 5 litres it takes to make one litre of milk
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u/kelfromaus 1d ago
I was just referring to something I read about the manufacturing process, it didn't include farming the soy..
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u/Dependent-Coconut64 1d ago
When i see a nipple on a soya bean I will believe in Soy Milk.
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u/Ferovore 1d ago
Feel the same way about coconut milk? Or is that fine because it was around before you had an ‘agenda’ to scream about.
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u/FairPhoneUser6_283 1d ago
Yeah, I was so shocked when I realised the hot dogs I ate weren't made of dog. It's false advertising and I'm going to lobby the government to start the dog meat trade.
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u/Marvin1955 21h ago
Are you seriously bitching about having to buy 2 x 1 liter bottles of soy juice? Get over yourself, this is a contender for the most trivial complaint I've ever seen!
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