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Dairy vs. Plant-Based Milk: Which is Greener?
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Key Takeaways
- Dairy milk has a larger environmental footprint compared to plant-based alternatives.
- Almond milk is almost as water-intensive as dairy milk but contains very little protein.
- Plant-based milks such as almond, soy, oat, and rice often have lower levels of saturated fats and cholesterol compared to cow’s milk, contributing to better cardiovascular health. Additionally, many plant-based milks are fortified with essential nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12.
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The Growth of Plant-Based Milk
Beyond dietary restrictions like lactose intolerance or veganism, many consumers choose plant-based milk for sustainability.
However, water usage and greenhouse gas emissions vary widely depending on the ingredients. The data for this graphic comes from the World Resources Institute.
Environmental Comparison
Cow’s milk provides more protein (8.2 grams per cup) but has the highest average greenhouse gas emissions (330 grams of CO2e per cup) and the highest water usage (21 liters per cup).
| Milk Type | Avg. CO2e emissions (g) | Avg. water use (L) | Avg. protein content (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 330 | 21 | 8.2 |
| Soy | 122 | 5 | 6.1 |
| Oat | 102 | 9 | 2.7 |
| Almond | 98 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Coconut | 69 | 1 | 0.5 |
Among plant-based options:
- Soy milk has the highest protein content (6.1 grams per cup) but also the highest greenhouse gas emissions among plant milks (122 grams of CO2e per cup).
- Almond milk has lower emissions (95 grams of CO2e per cup) but requires nearly as much water as dairy milk (19 liters per cup).
- Coconut milk has the lowest emissions (69 grams of CO2e per cup) and requires just 1 liter of water per cup. However, it also has the lowest protein content.
Market Size
- The global plant-based milk market was estimated at $19.42 billion in 2023.
- The global dairy milk market was valued at $330 billion in 2023.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
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