Milk (1L carton)

Material Composition Assumptions

The typical one-liter milk carton consists primarily of paperboard forming the structural base at approximately 850-900 grams representing 80-85% of the packaging weight. A polymer coating layer provides moisture barrier protection, contributing 70-100 grams or 7-10% of total weight. Standard aseptic cartons include an aluminum foil layer weighing 30-50 grams, representing 3-5% of the package. Additional components include adhesives and printing inks that account for the remaining material weight. The complete packaging represents only 4% of the total product weight, with milk comprising the remaining 96% at 1,030 grams for one liter.

Manufacturing Geography

Dairy processing occurs predominantly in major milk-producing regions including New Zealand, European Union countries, and North America where established dairy infrastructure and favorable climatic conditions support large-scale operations. The grid intensity for dairy processing facilities averages 0.45 kgCO2e/kWh across these primary manufacturing regions, reflecting the mixed energy sources used for pasteurization, homogenization, and packaging operations. These regions maintain the necessary cold chain infrastructure and proximity to dairy farms that minimize transportation emissions while ensuring product quality and safety standards.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
New Zealand	0.18 kgCO2e/kWh	98	-12.5%
Denmark/Netherlands	0.25 kgCO2e/kWh	105	-6.3%
United States	0.42 kgCO2e/kWh	112	Default
Germany	0.52 kgCO2e/kWh	118	+5.4%
India/China	0.78 kgCO2e/kWh	145	+29.5%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Farm-level emissions data including methane measurements from enteric fermentation, manure management practices, and feed composition with documented carbon footprints per kilogram of raw milk produced.

2. Processing facility energy consumption records showing actual electricity and thermal energy usage during pasteurization, homogenization, and packaging operations with corresponding grid emission factors.

3. Transportation distances and modes for raw milk collection from farms to processing facilities, plus finished product distribution to retail locations with load factors and vehicle emission specifications.

4. Packaging material specifications including exact weights and compositions of paperboard, polymer coatings, aluminum layers, and adhesives with supplier-provided carbon footprint data.

5. Feed sourcing documentation showing origins of cattle feed ingredients, land use change impacts, and agricultural production methods used for feed crops.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions for one liter of milk in a paper-based carton, excluding end-of-life disposal impacts and consumer refrigeration.

• Scope 1 emissions dominate at 75% due to direct agricultural activities including enteric fermentation and manure decomposition at dairy farms.

• Scope 2 emissions at 5% reflect energy consumption during milk processing operations including pasteurization and packaging.

• Scope 3 emissions at 20% capture upstream impacts from feed production, packaging materials, and transportation throughout the supply chain.

• The functional unit assumes standard pasteurized whole milk with typical fat content processed through conventional dairy facilities.

• Refrigerated storage at retail and consumer locations is excluded from the assessment boundary.

• Regional emission factors show significant variation from 130 to 750 grams CO2e per kilogram of raw milk depending on production intensity and management practices.