And the winner is…Oat milk!

Between all the different types of milks, dairy milk is by far the milk with the biggest footprint. All plant-based options are better for the planet. Click here to read about the environmental impact of dairy and non-dairy milks.

A study from Oxford University showed that producing a glass a dairy milk results in almost 3 times more greenhouse gases than all plant-based options!

But which of the plant-based milks is the most sustainable alternative?

If you made the switch to a plant-based milk, you have already reduced your carbon footprint significantly compared to drinking dairy milk, and you should be proud! But if, like us, you like to go one step further and find out which, amongst all the plant-based options out there is the best for the planet, this is for you:

Coconut milk might sound exotic and tasty, but it can be hard on the planet. Coconut palm trees only grow in tropical climate, and huge demand is driving deforestation, as well as bad working conditions.

Almond milk requires more water than any other plant-based option. In order to produce 1 glass of almond milk, we need 130 pints of water.

Rice milk also needs a lot of water, and produces large greenhouse emissions, due to the methane that rice produces and the large amounts of fertilizers used. In addition, rice milk is less nutritious than other options.

Hazelnut is growing as a good alternative, because it is nutritious and tasty. Hazelnut trees grow in moist climates, where water is more available.

Soy milk is also a good alternative, because it is sustainable and contains protein, almost as much as dairy. However, soy is often grown in the Amazon rainforest,  and can drive deforestation because it is massively produced to feed livestock.

The winner: oat milk. Oats are grown in cooler climates such as the US or Canada, and do not drive deforestation in developing countries. They do not require huge amounts of water to grow.

How easy it is to make my own oat milk?

It’s SUPER EASY. Many people complain that oat milk has become a trendy product, that it costs three times more than dairy milk, which can be true, especially if you look for organic oat milk.

But the good news is that oat milk is the easiest thing to make at home. It is super cheap, and all you need is organic oats, water, a blender and a oat milk bag (filter). That’s it. Read our article on how to make your own oat milk.

If you are looking for more tips on how to build a sustainable and self-sufficient home, this article will also provide plenty of great ideas.