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Appeal gets back more than 1,500 milk crates

MORE than 1,500 missing milk crates have been returned to Guernsey Dairy by islanders after an appeal in the Guernsey Press.

There has been a strong public response to Guernsey Dairy appeals for hundreds of missing milk crates to be returned. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 23095719)
There has been a strong public response to Guernsey Dairy appeals for hundreds of missing milk crates to be returned. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 23095719) / Peter Frankland

‘We have got back the equivalent number of all the crates we bought this year,’ said production manager Dave Domaille.

Although around 4,000 crates are in circulation, the number that went missing in such a short time was thought to cost the Guernsey Dairy around £23,000.

‘The public has been fantastic,’ Mr Domaille said. ‘I didn’t want it to be a witch-hunt, I am just grateful to the public for getting them back.’

The Dairy had considered declaring an amnesty to get crates returned, but its media appeal has achieved that for it.

Guernsey Dairy used to order in 2,000 crates every 18 months to keep around 4,000 in use.

The crates, which are made in France, cost about £13 each.

They are popular for plasterers to use to stand on.

In recent years, many more crates have been going missing and orders of 2,000 were being requested every six or seven months.

Of the 2,000 plastic crates ordered in July, 1,500 went missing leaving 528 in reserve

So far, 1,500 have been returned. said Dairy staff were due to pick up another 100 this morning.

Mr Domaille said that sometimes crates were left outside establishments where delivery men could not get to.

Hotels, restaurants and supermarkets have been returning crates by the hundreds since the issue was publicised.

  • Islanders who wish to drop off any more crates can leave them out by the loading bay at the Dairy.

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