Leading dairy company Morinaga Milk Industry says it will stop selling milk and other beverages in glass bottles by the end of the month.

The move ends an era in Japan when such drinks were commonplace in vending machines and part of the experience of visiting neighborhood public bath houses.

The company says the decision follows a review of transportation costs and use of energy in reusing glass bottles. It also removes the need for customers to return bottles for cleaning and refilling.

Morinaga will now ship all 7 of its glass-bottled milk products in paper cartons or plastic bottles. That includes its lactic acid probiotic drinks sold through home deliveries.

Morinaga says it ran a comprehensive study of market demand and its home delivery services before making the decision.