Is almond milk bad for the environment?
Almond milk uses a lot of water, mostly because almonds are grown with irrigation, mostly in California, which grows about 80% of the world's almonds according to the Almond Board of California. Compared with dairy milk, it generally has lower greenhouse gas emissions and uses less land, but it uses more water than oat or soy drinks. Whether it is good or bad depends on which impact you compare.
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In this article
Why is almond milk said to be bad for the environment?
The main criticism is water. Almond trees need irrigation, and California grows about 80% of the world’s almonds (Almond Board of California), in a region with recurring droughts. Comparison studies such as Poore and Nemecek (2018) find almond milk needs more water per liter than oat or soy drinks, though less than dairy milk.
How does almond milk compare with other milks?
Studies that compare milks usually find the same pattern, although the exact numbers vary by study and farm region, so we do not quote one.
| Impact | Dairy milk | Almond milk | Oat and soy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water use | High | Higher than oat and soy | Lowest |
| Greenhouse gases | Highest | Lower than dairy | Low |
| Land use | Highest | Lower than dairy | Low |
So almond milk is usually kinder to the climate than cow’s milk, but harder on water than other plant milks.
Do almond farms hurt bees?
Almond orchards depend on bee pollination, and growers rent honeybee hives for it. Concern about bee health in almond orchards is raised by researchers and beekeepers, and it is one reason some people choose other milks.
Other things that affect the impact
- Almond content: many cartons are mostly water with a small share of almonds.
- Packaging: cartons and shipping add emissions for every milk.
- Where almonds grow: irrigation and rainfall differ by region.
What can you do?
If water is your main concern, oat or soy drinks usually have a lower water footprint. If you already enjoy almond milk, using it instead of dairy still lowers emissions. Using what you buy, rather than pouring it away, helps with any milk.
People also ask
Is almond milk worse for the environment than cow's milk?
Not in every way. It generally uses less land and produces fewer greenhouse gases than dairy, but it takes a lot of water to grow almonds.
Why are almonds bad for the environment?
Mostly because almond trees need heavy irrigation, often in dry regions, and the orchards rely on rented honeybees for pollination.
Which plant milk is best for the environment?
Oat and soy drinks usually show the lowest water use and emissions in comparison studies, though results vary by study.
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