Culture
WATCH: Check out this throwback video showing fresh milk delivered in glass bottles in Malta
These glass bottles were sealed with a simple aluminum cap.

Lyndsey Grima

The Department of Information in Malta shared a nostalgic throwback video that took many viewers down memory lane.

The video revisits a time when fresh milk was delivered right to your doorstep in glass bottles, sealed with a simple aluminum cap. This now-vanished tradition was a familiar sight in Malta for decades, providing a daily staple in an eco-friendly and reusable way.

Up until 1996, glass-bottled milk was a hallmark of Malta’s local dairy industry. Each morning, residents would find neatly arranged bottles at their doorsteps, still cold from early-morning deliveries.

These bottles were later washed, sterilised, and reused, contributing to a circular, waste-free system long before sustainability became a buzzword.

The switch to cartons in 1996 marked the end of this era, as advancements in packaging and distribution took over. Cartons were seen as more convenient and easier to store, offering longer shelf life and improved logistics for suppliers.

However, for many Maltese people, the memories of glass bottles remain a cherished part of the island’s cultural history.

This video serves as a reminder of Malta's simpler, slower-paced past, sparking memories of community, tradition, and the personal touch that came with every bottle of milk.

Do you remember these simpler times?

5th October 2025


Lyndsey Grima
Written by
Lyndsey Grima
Lyndsey has always been passionate about all things content. She keeps her storytelling skills sharp by exercising physically as she’s a fitness buff and also mentally as she enjoys reading and travelling.

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