ATTENTION!
UK Bakers Urge Social Media Giants to Crack Down on Illegal Selling of Grocery Delivery Equipment on
Bakers Basco is taking a firm stance against the rising issue of the illegal sale of bread trays and delivery equipment on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay. As the UK’s leading provider of returnable transit packaging (RTP) for the bakery industry, Bakers Basco relies on these reusable trays to transport bread safely and sustainably across the country. Unfortunately, the online sale of these trays—clearly marked with the company’s logo—has become an alarming trend.
With over 2,800 trays and 386 dollies being sold illegally over the past year, this practice not only disrupts the bakery supply chain but also undermines environmental efforts. These trays, designed for durability and reuse, play a key role in minimising plastic waste. The misuse of this equipment adds unnecessary strain to an industry already focused on sustainability.
Bakers Basco is ramping up efforts to track down offenders, urging social media platforms to take this issue seriously and implement stricter controls. The company is also appealing to the public to stop participating in the illegal sale and misuse of its equipment to help protect both the supply chain and the environment.
OUR MEMBERS
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER
In anticipation of 2024, I want to reflect on the current and future landscape of the food logistics industry. Amid the undulating economic terrain marked by the ebb and flow of inflation and fuel prices throughout 2023, signs of recovery offer a glimmer of hope. However, the lingering fallout from additional costs absorbed by businesses implies a protracted journey back to profitability.
The defining challenge of 2023 has been the pervasive high costs experienced by suppliers, brands, retailers, and consumers alike. As the year concludes, the focus shifts to one of the industry's most substantial challenges—the Government's Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT). I contend that instead of burdening businesses with additional costs, the emphasis should be on instigating change.
The PPT, introduced in April 2022 and augmented in the Autumn Statement, imposes a £217.85 per tonne charge on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content, reflecting the UK's commitment to combating plastic waste. However, a critical challenge surfaces—the strained supply chain's inability to meet the demand for recycled plastic. Businesses find themselves caught between the necessity to incorporate more recycled content and the scarcity of recycled material.
This scarcity poses far-reaching implications, causing manufacturing delays across sectors dependent on plastic packaging. Our experience with our reusable Omega bread basket, designed for a circular economy, exemplifies the challenges of securing the required 30% recycled plastic for seamless production.
I definitely advocate the need for government intervention to address challenges faced by businesses transitioning to recycled content and the accountability for imported recycled material and associated carbon emissions. Allocating a portion of tax revenue to fortify domestic recycling infrastructure could pave the way for a sustainable future.
Looking ahead to 2024, the industry faces the ongoing challenge of keeping pace. Bakers Basco has streamlined operations, revised strategies to enhance efficiency, and intensified efforts towards a circular economy. Noteworthy initiatives, such as a national poster campaign, underscore the commitment to raising awareness outside traditional industry spheres.
The challenge now is to sustain this momentum, fostering industry collaboration and vocalising long-term concerns tied to legislation. Our industry is calling for an active role in reshaping the circular economy narrative to drive increased production of recycled plastic. As we move forward, the emphasis should extend beyond legislation, recognising that strategic actions are the bedrock of a resilient and circular plastics industry.
- Paul Empson, General Manager, Bakers Basco