With Christmas fast approaching and the nation preparing for its annual rush on mince pies, stuffing mixes and bakery treats, Bakers Basco is issuing a festive reminder: ‘tis the season to return our baskets.
The organisation, which manages the UK’s shared pool of reusable bakery delivery equipment, sees a significant spike in missing Omega baskets and dollies every December, more than any other month of the year. As demand for bakery goods peaks, so too does the amount of equipment that gets diverted, abandoned, hoarded or misused across the supply chain. And in 2025, the issue is more intense than ever.
“Every year we see the same pattern – as festive food sales rise, so does the number of our trays and dollies disappearing,” said Paul Empson, General Manager at Bakers Basco. “We love Christmas as much as anyone, but it’s not very merry when thousands of essential pieces of equipment are stuck behind warehouses, dumped in town centres, or even listed online. When those baskets go missing, deliveries slow down, costs rise and the whole supply chain feels the strain.”
The logistics teams responsible for keeping supermarkets stocked face their busiest and most challenging weeks. Bakery trays and dollies must circulate rapidly to meet demand but the system only works if the equipment is returned promptly and handled correctly.
Bakers Basco’s equipment, including its sturdy reusable Omega baskets and dollies, is designed to last up to eight years and can be recycled responsibly at the end of its life. When the equipment is removed from the supply chain, however, it disrupts operations and creates unnecessary environmental impact.
“It’s not that the equipment doesn’t exist, it’s simply stuck in the wrong place,” added Empson. “This time of year shouldn’t be about stockpiling trays like Christmas decorations in the loft. If you’ve got our equipment sitting where it shouldn’t be, just give us a call and we’ll collect it, no questions asked.”
While Bakers Basco’s investigations team works tirelessly year-round to locate and recover abandoned or misused equipment, the organisation stresses that community awareness is key. From supermarket backrooms to high-street bakeries, recycling centres, industrial yards and even residential alleys, misplaced equipment can easily delay deliveries and increase industry-wide costs during the busiest season for baked goods.
And although the message comes with a sprinkle of Christmas humour, the issue is far from trivial. “This isn’t about being on the naughty list – we just need the equipment back so it can do its job,” said Empson. “If everyone plays their part, the whole industry keeps moving smoothly through the peak Christmas period.”
Anyone who notices a build-up of Bakers Basco equipment or finds items abandoned should contact the team for a free collection on 0800 032 7323 www.bakersbasco.com
