Upright Sustainability: Good for Our People, and Our Planet

Dairy is an essential part of most people’s daily meals. But while getting your daily glass of milk may not necessarily put a dent in your wallet, it does come with a hidden and hefty price on the environment.

Every year, the dairy industry is responsible for 467,000 pounds (212 metric tonnes) of greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy farming is responsible for releasing enormous amounts of destructive greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. To put it into perspective, every glass of milk consumed releases 17.6 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That’s equivalent to driving 20 miles in an average passenger vehicle in the United States.

Suddenly, your glass of milk may not sound so perfect anymore. But if cow’s milk is no longer a guilt-free option, you may be wondering how else you will be getting your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and protein. As alternative milks have grown in popularity in recent years, options such as oatmilk have especially been criticized for its relatively low nutritional value.



Enter Upright: the first and only oatmilk as nutritious as dairy. Developed by a team of leading food scientists, it’s unlike other oatmilk on the market with each cup of Upright offering the same nutrients as traditional dairy with 8 grams of protein, key vitamins, and minerals. Unlike soy and almond milk, our oatmilk is allergen-free and can even reduce cholesterol levels. 

And health is just half of the story here at Upright.

We’re also on a mission to make food that’s better for the planet. That’s why we have ambitious plans embedded within our strategy to ensure that our products can be a force for good and aid the climate emergency. For instance, we’ve committed extensive R&D to develop compostable packaging for all of our products.

But we prefer to let our oats speak for themselves. In comparison to dairy and other alternative milks, oatmilk has the overall lowest environmental impact in its production.



While oatmilk hovers just above almond milk in land use and greenhouse gases emitted, it uses significantly less water. A cup of almond milk requires nearly 90 liters (23.8 gallons) of water, which is more than the average shower. This makes sense given the fact that almonds are notoriously water-thirsty, requiring 3.8 liters (1 gallon) to produce a single almond. Taken all together, oatmilk emerges as the most environmentally friendly option. 



At Upright, we are taking sustainability a step further by partnering with suppliers who are equally dedicated to environmental and social causes. One of our partner mills is completely carbon neutral, converting leftover oat husks into clean energy for both its facility and 1,500 local homes. In addition, one of our co-packing facilities provides training to refugee women. We recognize that sustainability, in addition to building a better planet, requires building stronger communities, and we’re proud to work with partners who share this same vision with us. 

If you’re interested in joining the Upright family and making it a part of your daily routine, visit our website at uprightoats.com and place an order today! We're a firm believer that small changes can add up to a big impact, and we hope that you will do your part in reducing your carbon footprint and choosing more sustainable options within your everyday life.