Once a staple in the U.S. diet, dairy milk sales have declined in recent years. Although the demand for plant-based milk alternatives likely plays a role, it isn’t the primary driver of the downward trend. According to a 2020 Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics study, the dip in dairy milk sales still outpaces the rise in plant-based milk sales.
Consumers decide to switch to milk alternatives to cut down animal product consumption and minimize their environmental impact, a 2017 survey indicated. While dairy milk is commonly recognized as resource-intensive, plant-based alternatives —which come from cereals, legumes, vegetables, seeds, and nuts — come with environmental impacts, too.
If you’re looking for the most sustainable plant-based milk alternatives to switch to, here’s some facts to consider:
