(ICIS) -- Law enforcement officials and
private businesses all over the US have become increasingly concerned with the
theft of plastic goods, such as beverage crates, shelves, pallets and other
items. There are two primary elements to the crime. First, the plastic is
stolen from businesses, either by scavengers or, in some cases, an employee and
some partners. Then it is transported to illegal grinding operations, typically
hidden in unmarked warehouses or even in someone’s backyard. Once grinded,
the plastic is sold to recyclers and manufacturers at a price determined by a
number of factors, including the quality and quantity of the
plastic.
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The task force recently recovered USD250,000 worth of stolen plastic
products and made four arrests in south Los Angeles. “Clearly, the enormity of
the loss just in Los Angeles County could easily exceed USD10m/year,” said LASD
Captain Mike Claus. “Some business owners explained that their losses had been
so huge, that had the thefts continued, they most likely would have had to go
out of business.”
mrcplast.com
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