Cullinan local puts milk cartons to good use
Upcycling milk cartons as insulation.
In pursuit of sustainability and environmental consciousness, recycling has gained immense importance.
With winter on the horizon, Clr Johannes Bekker of Ward 100 opted to test a home insulation method involving recycled milk cartons.
This straightforward, pragmatic approach offers insulation against harsh temperatures while allowing for a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional materials that often contribute to pollution.
While most people are familiar with recycling common materials like plastic, glass, and paper, there are many other innovative ways to give everyday items a second life.
One example is recycling milk cartons as construction insulation material.
Because of their unique composition and inherent insulating properties, milk cartons can be repurposed into an eco-friendly and effective insulation material.
The composition of milk cartons
Milk cartons typically consist of three layers: a paperboard outer layer, a thin layer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, and an inner layer of liquid packaging board (LPB).
This combination of materials makes milk cartons durable, lightweight and moisture-resistant. It is these layers that enable the repurposing of milk cartons into an insulation material suitable for various construction applications.
Benefits of milk carton insulation
1. Environmental sustainability: recycling milk cartons as insulation material reduces waste, conserves natural resources, and minimises the environmental impact of traditional insulation materials. By diverting milk cartons from landfills, we reduce the strain on these overcrowded waste management systems.
2. Energy efficiency: Insulation is crucial in maintaining energy-efficient buildings. Milk carton insulation provides excellent thermal resistance, reduces heat transfer and minimises energy consumption for heating and cooling, translating into lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
3. Moisture and mould resistance: the LDPE plastic layer offers inherent moisture resistance, preventing the accumulation of water vapour and minimising the risk of mould. This characteristic makes milk carton insulation particularly suitable for damp and humid environments.
4. Acoustic insulation: In addition to thermal insulation, milk carton insulation can help to soundproof buildings. The paperboard and plastic layers help to absorb and dampen sound, creating a more peaceful and comfortable indoor environment.
5. Easy installation: milk carton insulation panels or rolls are lightweight, easy to handle and to install. They can be cut to size and easily fitted between studs, joists, or other structural components. This simplicity of installation saves time and labour costs during construction or renovation projects.
Recycling milk cartons as construction insulation material showcases an innovative and sustainable approach to waste management and building practices.
As the construction industry prioritises sustainability, incorporating milk carton insulation could significantly contribute to more energy-efficient, comfortable, and environmentally-friendly buildings.
To carry out the experimental initiative, Gontse Ritchli (Mrs Tshwane First Princess 2022/23) and her husband, Rafael, organised a team of volunteers and partnered with Bekker.
They met and convened in Ward 100 and, as inspiration and benchmarking, used previously successful projects in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to develop a tailored project plan for the roll-out. The volunteers gathered all the accumulated cartons from local restaurants and accommodation establishments.
These cartons were then used at the Hope Recovered Library in Lethabong (Ward 100), where children from the community often study.
This effort resulted in a significant temperature improvement indoors, creating a pleasant environment for the children and volunteers in the library.
“We successfully lowered and stabilised the indoor temperature, creating a comfortable library for the kids and volunteers.
“Together, we will continue to obtain, gather, and upcycle more containers, constructing more ‘milk-plates’ to implement and execute additional needed community projects,” said Bekker.
