For many western countries, doorstep milk delivery is a thing of the past, but in Japan millions of people still rely on the milkman for fresh milk everyday. Many traditional Japanese homes even have milk delivery boxes, which are wooden boxes nailed outside the house where the milkman can drop bottles or cartons of milk. Some of the newer boxes are made of plastic and have Styrofoam insulation on the inside. Some milk shops even include a recyclable coolant pack with each delivery to keep the milk cold. Home delivery of dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, is a service that is still available in Japan, thanks to the marketing efforts of the milk companies who are using home delivery to combat a lack of consumer interest that started in the 1980s. One of the largest dairy companies — Maiji Dairies — has succeeded in reversing the trend and has managed to double deliveries over the previous 10-year period.
