As editor of I've blogged many times about thieves targeting plastic pallets and crates, and various efforts to foil them. The state of Arizona is raising the ante, with a new law aimed specifically at protecting plastic pallets.
Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services writes about the effort today in a story on the Arizona Daily Star's website, "New rules aim to stop theft of plastic pallets."
One bottling company executive quoted in the story estimates his firm spends $700,000 replacing pallets that "disappear."
"At night, people go out and scavenge and sell them," said John Kalil, vice president of Kalil Bottling Co. in Tucson. "If you're unemployed, lack cash, have a pickup truck, you're in business. We need something to shut them down."
According to the story, starting July 20 if a company -- for example, a plastics recycler or scrap dealer -- buys more than five pallets at a time that have a company logo, they'll have to collect personal information from the seller, including name, phone number, driver's license and license plate information. The buyers will have to keep the information on file for a year.
The penalty for failing to comply is a fine of up to $30,000.
Some states have similar laws that apply to other frequently stolen recyclables, like copper piping and catalytic converters.
Comments (1)
That is a couple problem regarding pallets,cause some of the employees would possible may do that, they get those pallets then sell it outside to their contacts.
Posted by Jonard | May 2, 2012 12:35 AM
Posted on May 2, 2012 00:35