Plant-Based Milks

There are a several different types of plant-based milk alternatives, and they are all better than dairy milk, but which one of them is the best? 

As with any agricultural product, it is important to make sure that plant-based milks that you purchase are organic.  This isn't just for you safety, avoiding the consumption of toxic chemicals, but also to that of the environment.  Those chemicals seep into the groundwater and make their way into oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.  Bees who pollinate the crops, especially almonds, are poisoned because of the chemicals and are dying as a result, so please be very careful!

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Cow Milk

Just for comparison, we've included the amount of water needed and the amount of carbon dioxide released in the production of just one glass (200mL) of cow's milk.  As you can see, not only is raising cows for their milk cruel, but it is also harmful for the environment.

Water Required*

125.3 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.63 kilograms carbon dioxide

*For a 200mL glass of milk

1. Rice Milk

Rice milk requires less than half the amount of water needed to make a glass of cow's milk, but it still needs a lot.  Also, rice milk production releases less than half the amount of carbon dioxide than traditional dairy milk.  

Water Required*

53.81 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.24 kilograms carbon dioxide

* For a 200mL glass of "milk"

2. Oat milk 

Of all these plant-based milks, oat milk requires the least amount of water, and releases a smaller amount of carbon dioxide compared to other options.  It is slightly sweet, and works great in desserts!

Water Required*

9.62 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.18 kilograms carbon dioxide

*For a 200mL glass of "milk"

3. Almond Milk

Although almond milk is the "milk" from this list that produces the least amount of carbon dioxide, it isn't very good for the environment.  This is because it requires an incredibly large** amount of water to produce a single glass; a whopping 74.1 liters!

Water Required*

74.1 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.14 kilograms carbon dioxide

*For a 200mL glass of "milk"

**It takes 1.1 liters of water to grow a single almond!

4. Pea Milk

Even though I've personally never had straight up pea milk, I have had pea-based ice cream sandwiches as well as chocolate milk made from peas.  Those are absolutely delicious, and they aren't the best when it comes to the required water, but they don't releases much carbon dioxide.

Water required*

​59.4 liters of water

Carbon Released*

0.19 kilograms carbon dioxide

For a 200mL glass of "milk"

Summarize 

Of these 4 plant-based milk alternatives, these are the milks ranked in order from best to worst, based on the identified criteria.  In both scenarios (water footprint and carbon footprint), cow's milk in the worst option for the environment.  

Water Footprint

1. Oat milk - 9.62L
2. Rice milk - 53.81L
3. Pea milk - 59.4L
4. Almond milk - 74.1L
5. Cow's milk - 125.3L

Carbon Footprint

1. Almond milk - 0.14kg
2. Oat milk - 0.18kg
3. Pea Milk - 0.19kg
4. Rice Milk - 0.24kg
5. Cow's Milk - 0.63kg

These aren't the only milk alternatives, as there are many others for you to try!