Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about buying, selling, and recycling used corrugated boxes and gaylord containers with EcoBoxes NY.
Products & Inventory
What types of boxes do you sell?
We carry a wide range of corrugated packaging: standard single-wall and double-wall boxes in dozens of sizes, gaylord/bulk containers (4-wall and 5-wall), new boxes for applications requiring pristine packaging, and accessories like liners, caps, tape, edge protectors, and void fill. Our used inventory changes constantly — contact us for current availability.
What is a gaylord box?
A gaylord box is a large, heavy-duty corrugated container designed to sit on a standard 48" x 40" pallet. They're used in warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution for bulk storage and transportation. Most gaylords are 48" x 40" x 36" but we stock various sizes. They come in 4-wall (single corrugated layer) and 5-wall (double layer) configurations.
Are your used boxes clean and sanitary?
Yes. Every used box we sell is inspected and graded. We remove debris, check for contamination, and reject any boxes that have held hazardous materials, food waste, or anything that would make them unsanitary. Our Grade A and B boxes are clean enough for retail and shipping use.
Can used boxes be used for food packaging?
For direct food contact, FDA regulations generally require new, food-grade corrugated packaging. However, used boxes are widely used in the food industry for outer shipping cartons, storage of packaged goods, and agricultural applications where produce is already in bags or clamshells. We also carry food-grade liners for gaylords.
Do you offer custom box sizes?
Yes. If our standard inventory doesn't include the exact size you need, we can source or manufacture custom boxes. We also modify standard boxes — cutting down heights, adding hand holes, or reinforcing specific areas. See our Custom Solutions page for details.
Buying & Selling
Do you buy used boxes?
Absolutely. Our Box Buyback Program purchases used corrugated boxes, gaylords, and packaging materials from businesses of all sizes. We buy in any quantity — from 50 boxes to 50,000. We'll assess the quality, make you a fair offer, and arrange pickup at no extra cost.
What's the minimum order quantity?
There's no hard minimum for most products. For standard boxes, we typically recommend ordering at least 25-50 units to make delivery cost-effective. For gaylords, we can deliver as few as 4-6 at a time. For very small quantities, we may suggest pickup from our Bronx facility.
How is pricing determined?
Pricing depends on box size, grade (A, B, or C), quantity, and current market conditions for corrugated materials. Used boxes typically cost 30-70% less than new equivalents. We provide custom quotes for every order — contact us with your needs for a free, no-obligation quote.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes. Larger orders receive better per-unit pricing. We also offer standing order discounts for businesses with recurring needs — set up a weekly or monthly delivery schedule and lock in preferred pricing.
What's your return policy?
If you receive boxes that don't match the grade or specifications you ordered, contact us within 48 hours. We'll arrange a return or exchange at no cost. We stand behind our grading system and want every customer to be satisfied.
Delivery & Logistics
What areas do you serve?
We provide pickup and delivery throughout the New York metropolitan area: all five NYC boroughs, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), Westchester, and northern New Jersey (Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, and surrounding areas). For larger orders, we can arrange delivery to Connecticut and beyond.
How quickly can I get my order?
Most orders within the NYC metro area are delivered within 1-3 business days. Same-day and next-day service is available for urgent needs (availability depends on current schedule and location). We'll confirm your delivery window when you place your order.
Do you handle loading and unloading?
Yes. Our drivers handle all loading at pickup and unloading at delivery. For pallet-loaded gaylords, we use lift gates. For large orders, we bring a helper. All you need is a clear delivery area and someone to sign for the order.
Environment & Sustainability
How does buying used boxes help the environment?
Every used box that gets a second life is one less new box manufactured. Manufacturing new corrugated boxes from virgin pulp requires cutting trees, transporting logs, chemical pulping, and energy-intensive manufacturing. Reusing a box skips all of that. Per ton of corrugated material reused, you save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4,000 kWh of energy.
What happens to boxes that can't be resold?
Boxes that are too damaged for resale go to our recycling partners — certified paper mills that recover the corrugated fiber. The fiber is pulped, cleaned, and reformed into new recycled paperboard. Nothing goes to a landfill. Even boxes soaked or contaminated beyond recycling are composted when possible.
How many times can a box be reused?
It depends on the box's construction and how it's used. A well-made double-wall box can potentially be reused 3-5 times for shipping before it needs to be recycled. Single-wall boxes typically get 1-3 reuses. Gaylords, being heavier-duty, can often be reused 5-10 times. The corrugated fibers themselves can be recycled 5-7 times before they're too short to form new board.
Ordering & Payment
What is the minimum order for standard boxes?
We have no formal minimum order requirement for standard corrugated boxes. However, for delivery to be cost-effective, we generally recommend ordering at least 25-50 units. Smaller orders can be picked up directly from our Bronx facility at 542 Craven St. For gaylords, we can deliver as few as 4-6 at a time since each unit is large enough to justify a delivery run.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), company checks, ACH bank transfers, wire transfers, and cash for in-person pickups. For businesses with recurring orders, we can set up invoiced billing with NET 15 or NET 30 payment terms upon credit approval. We also accept purchase orders from established accounts with approved credit.
Do you offer invoicing and credit terms for businesses?
Yes, we offer NET 15 and NET 30 invoicing for qualified business accounts. To apply for credit terms, contact us with your business name, EIN/tax ID, years in operation, and a trade reference. Approval typically takes 1-2 business days. Once approved, you can place orders and receive invoices with agreed-upon payment windows. We also offer early payment discounts of 2% for invoices paid within 10 days.
Can I set up a standing order for recurring deliveries?
Absolutely. Standing orders are one of our most popular options for businesses with predictable packaging needs. You choose the products, quantities, and delivery frequency — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly — and we handle the rest. Standing orders receive preferred pricing, priority scheduling, and guaranteed availability. You can adjust quantities or pause deliveries with 48 hours notice at no penalty.
Do you offer price matching or competitor quotes?
We are confident in our pricing and believe our combination of quality, service, and cost is the best in the market. If you receive a lower written quote from a competitor for equivalent products and grade, send it to us and we will do our best to match or beat it. We evaluate competitor quotes on a case-by-case basis, factoring in product grade, delivery terms, and minimum quantities to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison.
Shipping & Returns
What happens if my boxes arrive damaged?
If any boxes arrive damaged beyond the stated grade — for example, you ordered Grade A and received boxes with torn flaps or soft spots — contact us within 48 hours with photos. We will arrange a free replacement delivery or issue a full credit for the affected units. Our drivers inspect loads before departure, but transit damage can occasionally occur, and we take full responsibility when it does.
What if I receive the wrong order?
If you receive incorrect sizes, quantities, or grades, contact us immediately. We will prioritize a corrective delivery — typically within 24 hours — and arrange pickup of the incorrect items at no cost to you. Please do not discard the wrong items, as we will need to collect them for our records and quality review process. Every mis-ship is documented and investigated to prevent recurrence.
How can I track my delivery?
When your order is dispatched, we notify you via email or text with an estimated arrival window. Our drivers carry mobile phones and can be reached if you need a more precise ETA on delivery day. For large or multi-stop orders, we provide a morning confirmation with your delivery sequence position. While we do not currently offer GPS-based live tracking, we are evaluating the technology for future implementation.
Do you ship outside the New York metro area?
Our standard delivery fleet covers the NYC metro area (all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and northern New Jersey). For customers in Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, central New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, we can arrange delivery for larger orders — typically full truckloads or half-truckloads. For nationwide shipments, we partner with LTL and FTL freight carriers and can provide competitive quotes. International shipping is not available at this time.
Technical Specifications
What are ECT ratings and why do they matter?
ECT stands for Edge Crush Test, which measures the amount of force (in pounds per linear inch) that a corrugated board can withstand on its edge before crushing. A 32 ECT box is the most common specification for standard shipping and can support roughly 40 lbs of stacked weight in a warehouse environment. For heavier items or taller stacking, 44 ECT or 48 ECT boxes provide significantly more compression resistance. We list ECT ratings for all of our inventory when available.
What is the difference between flute types (A, B, C, E)?
Flute type refers to the size and spacing of the wavy corrugated medium between the flat linerboard sheets. A-Flute is the thickest at approximately 3/16 inch and provides the best cushioning for fragile items. B-Flute at 1/8 inch offers a harder, flatter surface ideal for die-cut boxes and printed displays. C-Flute at 5/32 inch is the most widely used all-purpose flute for shipping boxes. E-Flute at 1/16 inch is the thinnest, used primarily for retail packaging and high-quality printing surfaces.
How much weight can a used gaylord hold?
Weight capacity depends on the wall construction, condition, and contents. A 4-wall (single-wall) gaylord in Grade A condition typically supports 1,000-1,500 lbs of evenly distributed weight. A 5-wall (double-wall) gaylord in good condition can handle 2,000-2,500 lbs. These capacities assume the box is sitting on a flat pallet and the load is reasonably distributed. For very heavy materials like metal scrap or aggregate, we recommend 5-wall gaylords with reinforced corners and always advise customers on the appropriate specification.
Do you carry moisture-resistant or wax-coated boxes?
We stock wax-coated and moisture-resistant boxes on a limited basis, primarily for agricultural and food industry customers. Wax-coated gaylords are commonly used for produce packing, ice-packed seafood, and any application where the contents release moisture. Note that wax-coated corrugated is not recyclable through standard paper recycling streams. We always disclose the coating type so you can plan for proper disposal or composting if needed.
Environmental & Compliance
Do you have environmental certifications?
We are committed to sustainable practices and work exclusively with recycling partners who hold SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) chain-of-custody certifications. Our operations follow EPA guidelines for materials handling and waste reduction. We can provide documentation of our sustainability practices and diversion rates for customers who require vendor environmental compliance verification as part of their procurement process.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and does it affect my packaging?
Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach that makes manufacturers and brand owners responsible for the end-of-life management of their packaging materials. Several US states — including Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and California — have enacted EPR laws for packaging. By purchasing used boxes, you are actively participating in the circular economy, which is the stated goal of EPR legislation. We can provide reuse documentation that may support your EPR compliance reporting.
Can you provide data for my company's sustainability or ESG report?
Yes. We provide detailed environmental impact statements to any customer who requests them. These documents include the total weight of corrugated material reused, estimated trees preserved, water conserved, CO2 emissions avoided, and landfill diversion volumes. Our calculations follow EPA-published conversion factors and are suitable for inclusion in corporate sustainability reports, ESG disclosures, and B Corp assessments. Use our Eco Impact Calculator for a quick estimate or contact us for a formal statement.
Do you offer carbon offset documentation?
While we are not a carbon offset provider, we can quantify the carbon emissions avoided through your use of reused packaging. Each ton of corrugated material reused instead of manufactured from virgin fiber avoids approximately 1,500 lbs of CO2 emissions. We provide these calculations in a format that your sustainability team or ESG consultant can use to support carbon reduction claims. For formal carbon offset credits, we recommend partnering with a certified offset registry.
Quick Reference Facts
No Minimum
Order quantity for most products
1-3 Days
Standard delivery, NYC metro
48 Hours
Return/exchange window
NET 30
Available for qualified accounts
Grade A-D
Four quality tiers available
96%
US corrugated recycling rate
5 Boroughs
Plus LI, Westchester, NJ
24 Hours
Maximum response time on inquiries
Common Scenarios& Recommendations
Not sure what you need? Find your situation below for a quick recommendation.
| Your Situation | Recommended Grade | Recommended Product | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping products to customers | Grade A | Standard RSC boxes | 30-40% |
| Warehouse storage organization | Grade B or C | Mixed sizes | 40-70% |
| Bulk parts or scrap collection | Grade A or B | 5-wall gaylords | 45-55% |
| Moving to a new home/office | Grade A | Moving box assortment | 40-50% |
| Produce harvesting & packing | Grade A or B | Harvest gaylords + liners | 50-60% |
| Selling surplus boxes you have | Any grade | Box Buyback Program | We pay you |
Related Resources
Still Have Questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out and our team will get back to you with answers — usually within a few hours.
Contact UsReference Library
Why Good Packaging Decisions Depend on Better Reference Material
Most avoidable packaging mistakes do not happen because teams lack effort. They happen because dimensions are misunderstood, grades are assumed instead of defined, and freight or storage consequences are considered too late.
A practical resource library helps operations teams standardize decisions. Instead of debating every order from scratch, buyers can refer to size charts, grading standards, handling notes, and technical explanations that reduce ambiguity.
That kind of shared reference material improves more than purchasing. It also helps customer service answer questions accurately, helps warehouse teams receive material consistently, and gives management better visibility into why packaging choices were made.
The most useful packaging references usually answer
- What condition is acceptable for each grade and each use case
- What size or construction is appropriate for a given product or pallet format
- How to quantify environmental savings in a way stakeholders can understand
- Which standards matter most for shipping, warehousing, and compliance-sensitive applications
Related Reading
Additional guides and articles that deepen the topic on this page.