Bakers launch TrayTheft.org to help the industry stop the theft of reusable plastic trays

WASHINGTON, DC - The baking industry has continued to be a leading advocate in the fight to stop the theft of reusable plastic trays, a costly issue for many industries. The American Bakers Association (ABA) today unveiled a new online resource to help their Members fight this ongoing problem. This new resource can be found at TrayTheft.org.

ABA’s Logistics Professionals Group spearheaded this initiative, understanding that the industry must continue engaging with the baking community and the public to raise awareness on this issue.

“The baking industry has unfortunately dealt with the theft of reusable plastic trays for years,” said Robert McGuire, Vice President, Director of Logistics, Alpha Baking Co. and Chair of ABA’s Logistics Professionals Group. “We are excited to announce these new resources to help members effectively communicate the problem with their employees and customers. The first step to effectively solving the problem is raising awareness.”

The online communication toolkit provides one-pagers for employers to help communicate with their employees and customers about the problem and how to solve it efficiently. The resources also include several printable posters that can be put up in establishments:

• Template letter on tray theft for food retailers and foodservice establishments

• Supervisor Basics on Preventing Theft of Reusable Plastic Trays

• Driver Basics on Preventing Theft of Reusable Plastic Trays

• Three posters to post near reusable plastic tray storage

“Reusable plastic trays are integral to the distribution of baked goods. Therefore, we need to continue to communicate to our employees, customers, lawmakers, and the public that tray theft is an issue of importance,” said Lauren Williams, Director of Government Relations, ABA. “The resources we have provided at TrayTheft.org will quickly educate our Member’s employees and customers and give them tools to help solve the problem.”

The baking industry spends more than $10 million annually in replacement costs for stolen reusable plastic trays. ABA has produced impactful success on the state level in our pursuit to fight the harmful effects of tray loss through policymaking. ABA successfully passed a law in Maryland in 2013 and Texas in 2019. ABA continues to advocate to help the baking industry stop the theft of reusable plastic trays.