Fill up a glass milk bottle from our Jersey Dairy milk vending machines

As an ethical and responsible retailer with sustainability at our heart, we are always looking at ways we can reduce the amount of single use packaging in our stores.

The newest addition in our commitment to providing islanders with more sustainable ways to shop are our new self-serve milk vending machines, offering fresh Jersey Dairy milk in your Grand Marché St Helier and St Peter.

The milk vending machines dispense fresh Jersey Dairy 2.5% fat milk into 1 litre reusable glass bottles.

We are excited to work alongside local producer, Jersey Dairy as we lead the way in reducing single-use packaging, as well as championing the very best of local produce.

Try the milk vending machines in store today.   

FAQs

Where can I find the milk dispensers? 

We have introduced three machines. You can find two milk dispensers at Grand Marché St Helier and one at Grand Marché St Peter.

Can I use my own glass bottle? 

If you have a clean, glass bottle which is 1 litre in size then you can use this to purchase milk from the machine.
Please let our staff know it is your own glass bottle. Bottles any smaller, or larger than 1 litre will not work in the machine. You can also use 1 litre plastic bottles as long as they are sterilised.

How long can the milk be kept for? 

Provided a clean glass bottle has been used, and the milk kept chilled below 4^oC once dispensed from the machine, it can be kept for up to four days.

The milk inside the machine is kept chilled between 0^oC- 4^oC within a sterile churn which is continuously being stirred.

The churns are replaced on a regular basis with fresh milk and will always have sufficient shelf life to ensure the customer has four days to consume it. No use-by date label is issued on the day the milk is purchased, and so the onus is on the customer to remember the date it was purchased and know when they need to use it by. 

How often will the machine be cleaned?  

The machines will be cleaned as per the manufacturer’s instructions on a regular basis using dairy industry standard chemicals to ensure high standards of hygiene.
The majority of the cleaning is completed at Jersey Dairy, where the milk is decanted into a sterilised churn and transported under chilled conditions to stores. 

How do I wash my glass bottle?  

Sterilising your bottle before refilling it is an important step to prevent bacteria growing within the jar. Bacteria will rapidly reduce the shelf life of your milk and could be dangerous to those consuming it. 

You can sterilise the bottle by placing it in your dishwasher on the highest setting, leaving it to cool slightly before removing. Alternatively, you can sterilise your bottle in the oven. Firstly, thoroughly with warm water and washing up liquid and rinse clean. Place a sheet of baking paper on one of the shelves of your oven (not at the bottom of the oven) and place the jars on the shelf - making sure they’re not touching each other. Heat your oven to 140^oC/210^oF/Gas Mark 1 and dry out the jars for around 15-20 minutes. Leave to cool before removing them from the oven. 

To sterilise the lids leave them in a sink of boiling hot water and allow to cool, then dry.

How do the milk dispensers work?

1. Pick up your glass milk bottle from Grand Marché St Helier or St Peter.
2. Fill your 1 litre glass bottle with fresh pasteurised milk.
3. Pay for both your bottle and milk at the checkout (only pay for your bottle once).
4. The next time you come in to the store bring your clean bottle with you and refill at the milk dispenser.
5. You will now just need to pay for the milk at the checkout.

Why are we doing this?

Reducing the amount of single use packaging in our stores is something we take very seriously.

By having milk dispensers and offering you the option to buy your milk in glass bottles, we are reducing single use packaging consumption and protecting the environment.

Protecting our environment, supporting sustainability, connecting with others and working with local producers are hugely important to us, which is why we are championing this initiative with Jersey Dairy.

Got feedback or questions? Let us know what you think by emailing sustainability@channelislands.coop.