Reusable Plastic Crates

Have you ever been as confused as Ben about mixed messaging on plastic crates? Training says to leave them at the store. Store staff sometimes say take them. What gives?

Let’s clear it up (and keep everyone happy):

You’ve probably seen those sturdy, stackable, “would-make-amazing-nesting-boxes” reusable plastic crates (RPCs).

I get it.

They’re awesome.

But they need to stay at the store. Produce crates, dairy crates, please don’t take them.

Even if a staff member says not to worry about it, please don’t take RPCs off-site. If anything feels unclear, just let someone at Loop know so it can be handled directly, and you can keep your good relationship with the store staff.

Why?

• Biosecurity:
  • RPCs travel in a closed retail loop (from warehouses, trucks, back rooms, and back to vegetable farms & dairies that supply the stores). Once they visit the farm (poop and goop included ;)) can’t safely re-enter that system.
    

• Store costs:
  • RPCs are tracked assets. They are worth real money. If they are not returned properly, the store gets charged. Even if someone at the dock waves them off, these matter to store management, and we all want to protect those relationships.
    

I know they’re tempting. Truly.

But this is a “resist the urge” moment.

Quick tip:
If it’s corrugated plastic or flimsy & thin (think something that would likely surrender under a 50-lb sack of potatoes), you’re fine to take and repurpose it.

If it’s heavy-duty, foldable, milk-crate tough and making you think,

“wow, this would be great in the barn”

that’s likely an RPC. And it stays put at the store.

Below are a few helpful visual examples!