All that glitters… is a protective plastic additive

A UK distributor of plastic bread baskets has added a traceable additive to its products in order to prevent illegal recycling of the items. 

Bakers Basco, which manages a pool of approximately three million bread baskets on behalf of UK bakeries, has implemented the new ‘glitter’ additive in the manufacture of its plastic bread trays in an effort to stop illegal polymer recyclers and equipment thieves.

The loss of plastic bread baskets through theft and unauthorised abuse results in millions of pounds’ worth of lost equipment for the baking industry each year. In many cases, the bakery equipment is illegally used and stolen for the raw monetary value of the plastic polymer, in much the same way that metal is stolen.

The equipment now contains a special traceable additive that has been added to the polymer material at the manufacturing stage. Once implemented, the additive can never be removed, therefore creating a lifetime of traceability. The material can be easily identified in whatever form it may be in – even if the plastic has been recycled – as it reduces the opportunity to mix with pure plastic.

“We have introduced this initiative to help reduce the possibility of plastic baskets and dollies not being returned to their legitimate owners,” said Steve Millward, General Manager, Bakers Basco. “This is an important issue that recyclers and waste management officials should be aware of as the glitter can have a negative impact on their processes.”