Bakers Basco is calling on wholesale markets, market traders and suppliers to help tackle the ongoing issue of missing bread delivery equipment, after new figures revealed that markets are the single biggest hotspot for losses across the supply chain.
Bakers Basco, a not-for-profit organisation set up by leading UK bakeries, manages a shared pool of reusable bread baskets and dollies used to transport bread nationwide. These items are designed to last for years and complete hundreds of trips as part of a circular system that reduces waste and avoids single-use packaging.
However, each year, thousands of these items are diverted from the system, often ending up in markets and wholesale environments where they are misused for storage, display or transportation.
New data from the 2025/26 period shows that 18,438 baskets and 1,690 dollies were recovered from locations linked to outdoor events and their supply chains – with a significant 8,700 items traced directly to markets and wholesale markets, making it the largest single source of recoveries.
“Markets and wholesale environments are a critical pressure point for us,” said Stacey Brown at Bakers Basco. “We know that once equipment enters these spaces, it can quickly be absorbed into general use. But these baskets and dollies are not designed for that – they’re part of a tightly controlled system that keeps bread moving efficiently across the UK.”
The issue is often driven by a lack of awareness, with traders and suppliers mistakenly assuming the equipment is free to use. In reality, when items are taken out of circulation, it disrupts the supply chain and creates both financial and environmental costs.
“These are durable, long-life assets that should stay within the system,” Stacey added. “When they’re not returned, or worse, when they’re discarded or sent to landfill, it undermines the sustainability benefits they were built to deliver and forces the production of replacements.”
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns , Bakers Basco says the scale of recovery from markets highlights the need for stronger engagement across the wholesale sector.
The organisation is continuing to offer free collection of its equipment and is urging market operators, wholesalers and traders to report any misplaced items so they can be returned to circulation.
“With greater awareness and cooperation across markets, we can significantly reduce losses,” Stacey said. “This isn’t just about protecting equipment – it’s about supporting a more sustainable, efficient supply chain.”
