Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which carton style to use?

Our designers will be happy to answer this question for you. The style selected is dependent on the storage environment, method of transportation, and desired method of product loading/unloading. There is a design for nearly every product, factory process and cost effectiveness.

Which grade of paper should I use?

The single most important factor we consider when selecting the right grade of paper is the weight of the product. Other factors we consider: Storage environment, Shipping & Handling, Marketability, Compression Load requirements, and the Product itself (hazardous, sharp, etc.).

How will my items ship and how quickly?

We deliver 95% of our orders using our companies fleet direct to your location. If your destination is outside of our shipping zone, we will hire LTL/UPS services upon your request. If we are delivering using our own fleet, our average lead time is 3-5 business days. 

Do you warehouse any stock boxes?

No, every run is made to order. That being said, we are extremely quick in our lead time from order to delivery. Our prices are very competitive with ‘stock boxes’ and our designers have the experience to make improvements based on custom specifications. Plus, you get the added bonus of being able to print part numbers or company logos upon request.

Where is United Container located?

Our 40,000 square foot facility is located in downtown Chicago next to the Kennedy expressway. This gives us a great position to get to your location quickly and efficiently.

Where does your paper come from?

Corrugated paper is comprised of a liner (external sheet of paper) and a medium (wavy fluted structured sandwiched between liner). Our paper is top quality! Although paper is a commodity, there are certainly quality differences amongst different ‘formulas’. We purchase the highest quality recycled mediums in combination with virgin fiber liners to insure strength and protection. We stand by the fact that our paper is the best available in all of Chicago. Don’t worry, our suppliers source all of their paper sustainably through government regulated conservation initiatives.

How can it be environmentally sustainable to cut down trees?

The mills that produce the paper itself maintain their forest by planting a regulated number of new trees that is based on how many trees are being harvested. This insures that they are not decimating old growth forests, which is very important to us! We are all outdoors and conservation minded here. Plus, corrugated fiberboard is extremely is easy to recycle.

“A large portion of the estimated 29.5 million tons of corrugated cardboard generated each year comes from commercial establishments.. The good news is 91 percent of those boxes were recycled in 2012, according to EPA’s Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2012 Facts and Figures. Corrugated cardboard is one of the easiest materials to reduce at the source, reuse, and recycle. Corrugated recycling systems are relatively easy to establish: cardboard is easily identifiable, is often generated in large quantities, and has a ready market. Reducing corrugated cardboard waste is often the first step a company takes to reduce its waste.”

Is this material safe for food?

Corrugated is an excellent material for food based products. Not only is it 100% food safe, USDA approved…..the ink is too. Our inks are water-based & non-toxic. We can treat the corrugated cardboard with specialized finishes that maintain structural integrity whether dealing with oil (grease) or storage freezers.

source: Commercial Recycling | Paper Recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/paper/setting/commercial.htm