Gen Z Question the Sustainability of Plant-Based Milk

SUBANG JAYA, Selangor - Plant-based milk has gradually become more commonly available in coffee shops across Kuala Lumpur, but the additional upcharge for it has the younger generation questioning its accessibility.

With the recent craze, Plant-based milk is now the new ‘IT’ beverage. However, plant-based milk retails at prices that are twice the price of the usual dairy. This has caused many youths to express their concerns about the sustainability of plant-based milk, and whether or not these high costs, in reality, make them inaccessible to lower-income consumers. In a research published by the National Library of Medicine in 2022, Adamczyk et al. state that the motivation to give up dairy is rarely an ethical or environmental issue, and people usually try plant-based milk out of curiosity.

Wide selection of plant-based milk on grocery store shelves

(Source: Bernice Lee)

“The trend people follow sets the precedents to trying plant-based milk and it is in essence why I tried to,” said Caleb Chin Xi Ern, 22, a final year Culinology student.

“But spending RM14 on a carton of oat milk isn’t that sustainable in the long run for the socio-economic standpoint I am currently in.”

Wyman Wai, who is lactose intolerant, believes that having to top up for alternative milk is slightly unreasonable: “It felt like a novelty thing.”

The cost of producing plant-based milk is often higher than that of dairy, and has led several critics to argue that the sustainability claims made by plant-based milk companies may be overstated, and that the environmental benefits may be outweighed by the economic costs.

From a cultural perspective, the perception of consuming plant-based milk portrays a certain “standing” in society, through cultivating a sense of pseudo-superiority.

“The discussions we have regarding this topic have a lot of room to grow, like could being sustainable be a privilege?” said Chin.

As the younger generation becomes more conscious of the social and economic implications of sustainability, it’s up to the industry to address these concerns and ensure that their products truly promote sustainability and inclusivity.