Guernsey Dairy appeals for return of its milk crates
09 August 2022
Two years ago, during the island's Bailiwick lockdown bubble 1,000 crates were deemed to be missing and although many were returned after a similar appeal, over the course of time the issue has escalated even further with estimated missing numbers almost trebled.
It is believed that some are being used for grocery deliveries as well as a handy DIY stools both here in Guernsey as well as over in Sark and Herm. The Dairy need them to be returned to avoid having to spend tens of thousands of pounds on their replacement.
"We are now nearly 3,000 milk crates short at the moment which makes our distribution process extremely challenging," said Dave Domaille, production manager at Guernsey Dairy.
"If we were to replace the missing crates the cost would be astronomical - an expense the Dairy can ill afford."
In 2020 each crate cost the Dairy around £14 to replace - the cost of this will have now gone up considerably. They are used to make up orders for milk distributors and are often then used to deliver to restaurants, hotels, shops and supermarkets.
"Each milk crate makes thousands of trips to and from shops with some lasting more than 20 years," said Mr Domaille. "They are extremely strong and sustainable when allowed to do their job and are not removed from the milk delivery system for other purposes."
The Dairy issued an appeal in 2018 and again in 2020 and as a result more than 1,300 crates each time were returned.
"We are not looking to prosecute anyone - we just need our crates returned. If they can do this as soon as possible that would help us enormously," said Mr Domaille.
The crates remain the property of Guernsey Dairy. Islanders should simply return the crates by leaving them carefully at the layby outside Guernsey Dairy or on the left hand side of the entrance by the bike parking.
"If anyone has seen them while they are out and about, please can you get in touch by calling 01481 227777 and we can come and pick them up," said Mr Domaille.