More than 13,000, that’s a baker’s dozen thousand, Omega bread baskets and dolly equipment belonging to Bakers Basco were recovered from festivals and outdoor events during 2022, following the success of a targeted awareness campaign highlighting the environmental impact of misplaced bakery equipment often left behind at festivals and outdoor events.
During the course of 2022, Bakers Basco’s national investigations team visited close to 100 locations across the UK, resulting in the successful recovery of 13,000+ pieces of equipment, which often ends up in landfill or used for purposes for which it was not designed. Key locations included Cheltenham, Chester, York and Rippon Racecourses and Glastonbury Festival, as well as outdoor events up and down the UK.
Bakers Basco is a membership scheme set up by Allied Bakeries, Fine Lady Bakeries, Frank Roberts & Sons, Hovis and Warburtons to provide and manage an industry-wide bakery equipment solution to transport bread safely, cost-effectively from bakeries to retailers every day. Yet often, intentionally or otherwise, the equipment is diverted out of the bakery logistics supply chain, contributing negatively to the environment.
In April 2022, Bakers Basco teamed up with the Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) embarking on an awareness campaign to encourage those involved in managing, running or catering for events and festivals to be vigilant in reporting any sightings of this equipment left behind on sites at the end of festivals and events.
At the same time, Bakers Basco has been working with associations such as Vision:2025 and ESA as part of its push to raise awareness of the issue among the varied industries, including market traders and caterers – which are among some of the worst offenders, whether they are aware or not.
“It’s great to see that our efforts with last year’s campaign are starting to pay off and it just goes to show the power of working together to ensure equipment returns to the supply chain, reducing the need to produce more plastic to replace them,” said Paul Empson, general manager at Bakers Basco. “We are extremely grateful to the AFO for their support with this campaign and look forward to continuing this effort as we move forward in 2023.”
Bread basket theft (or conversion) is the Achilles’ heel of the baking industry. It is an issue that has plagued bakers for many years – with typical losses in excess of 60% and, in extreme cases, up to 100%. Since it was formed in 2006, Bakers Basco has been exploring the use of GPS and other technologies to crack down on the potential abuse and misuse across its pool of five million bread baskets and associated wheeled dollies.
Anyone who comes across these baskets is advised to contact the Bakers Basco team via the recovery helpline: 08000 327323 or email: enquiries@bakersbasco.co.uk to arrange free collections of any equipment found in the wrong place.
