How to Get Milk Crates

Milk crates are square boxes made from heavy plastic and used to transport small cartons of milk from dairies or processing plants to grocery stores, schools, hospitals and restaurants. These crates usually interlock. They can be used for storage bins, as well as nests for chickens in which to lay. They also can serve as beds for pets, such as cats and small dogs. Whatever the purpose, there are a few places you can look to find milk crates.

Things You'll Need

• Phone book
• Internet

Instructions

1. Check with the local schools to see if they are allowed to keep the milk crates after the milk is delivered to their cafeterias. This process can vary from state to state, or in different school districts, depending on which company supplies the milk. Although the companies own the crates, they sometimes allow the schools to keep them. Ask to speak with the food service director or the administrator. He may let you have some of their excess crates.

2. Contact the milk or cheese plants in your area. After milk leaves a dairy farm, it goes to a processing plant or factory where it is tested and pasteurized before being processed for cheese or packaged in cartons which are then delivered. These firms own their crates and usually have a large supply. She may let you buy some.

3. Search the Internet if you are interested in ordering milk crates that have not been used. Many companies manufacture and sell milk crates, and they will sell them to you for prices tied to the size of your order. Consider narrowing your search to suppliers in your area so you can pick up the crates and save the shipping costs.

References

• Got Milk Crates?: Green Crates