Why all the Fuss Over Milk Crate Possession

If you are like most people, somewhere within the walls of your home or outside of your property, is a milk crate. You probably have quite a few and most of us cannot remember exactly how we acquired them. One thing you will notice unless all of the letters have been rubbed off is the distinct warning that prohibits the use of the milk crate for anything other than containing milk by the dairy that the crate belongs to. This label is not something to be dismissed. It actually is a warning and there are real fines that go along with the misuse and possession of milk crates.

Why the Fines?

In any industry you have specific obligations and costs. Dairies produce enormous amounts of milk and that milk has to be transported from the dairy to the grocery store to be sole. Without milk crakes to securely hold the milk in place and allowing the milk to be stacked safely the milk containers would likely become damaged during shipment resulting in the loss of money for the dairy.

Milk crates cost approximately $5-7 per crate for a dairy. They are made of a highly durable plastic that enables them to last for years. Replacing stolen milk crates costs dairies a lot of money and as dairies do not have a huge profit margin they have to have some form of accountability to those who steal milk crates. Therefore many years ago law enforcement put the laws in place to discourage milk crate theft.

It may not seem like a big beal, but to truly understand the issue you have to look at the seething underbelly of the dark past behind milk crate theft. Do not laugh. There actually is a dark place where organized milk crate theft resides.

Milk Crates and Organized Crime

When we hear the words organized crime we often think of drug deals gone bad or bootlegging back during prohibition, but organized crime is far more than just these aspects. Organized crime syndicates have one primary goal in mind when they do their dealings. That primary goal is to make as much cash as possible without getting caught. What better way to do that than steal things hanging around outside of shops all over the place at night.

It is a common practice for bakeries, shops, and most establishments that use milk crates on a regular basis to store these items outside. They are rarely locked up and establishments that receive regular deliveries rotate out the milk crates they use. Milk crates are made from a high density petroleum polyethylene and therefore they are highly durable and do not break down in severe weather conditions, so there is little harm in leaving them out to the elements. That is unless one of those elements is looking to steal them.

As recently as 2010 milk crate thefts have made the news with Boston having an increase in the number of reported milk crate thefts. The highly organized thieves would steal the crates under the cover of night and grind them up. They would then sell the very valuable plastics to recycling companies. The material the crates are made from is from the same material used to make our gasoline so as the price of gas increases, so does the price for milk crates.

Increase in Fines

Due to all of the activity involving milk crates, many states have opted to increase the fines that go along with milk crate theft. Some of these fines reach up into the thousands of dollars and that is just for the first offense. It is unlikely that law enforcement will come to your home and demand that you pay a huge fine just because you happen to have a milk crate with a warning and a dairy label stamped on it, but you may want to think of where you are getting your milk crates the next time you acquire one to avoid any legal issues.

Where to Buy Legal Milk Crates

Milk crates can be used for a number of different activities and practical ways around the home. As much as we love to use them they can be difficult to obtain. Many big name retailers have seen the value in milk crates and have begun offering them as new products for customers. Many of these milk crates do not have the same durability we are used to, so we are unable to use them as we would like.

For the authentic milk crate without the risk of fine and jail time there is only one place to turn and that is milkcratesdires. The have all of the colors and sizes you need for all of your household needs and are very inexpensive. For the person who desires many milk crates, you can also purchase them in bulk. Do not be hauled off by the lawman. Buy your milk crates the legal way, from us.