Frequently Asked Questions
General
- Can food be packaged in your containers?
- How come I cannot purchase the exact number of lids as the containers?
- Do you offer print on your containers?
- What print process do you offer?
- What is the minimum amount that you will print?
- What are your lead times for printed products?
- What is the additional cost to have something printed on my containers?
- What colors are available?
- Are other colors available?
- What are the minimums for colored containers?
- Can I order lids without a gasket?
Back to Earth
- Why Back To Earth?
- What is sustainability?
- Why is sustainability important?
- Does practicing sustainability cost more?
- What is corporate sustainability?
- Is Encore a green company?
- How does Back To Earth contribute to the environment?
EcoSmart
- Why EcoSmart?
- What is sustainability?
- Why is sustainability important?
- Does practicing sustainability cost more?
- What is corporate sustainability?
- Is Encore a green company?
- How does EcoSmart Save Resources?
- Are other Encore items available in the certified EcoSmart Program?
Industrial Pails
- What is the difference between a .70 or .90 mil 5 gallon pail?
- Can your containers be used for all chemicals?
- Are your containers food grade?
- What is the difference between your virgin and regrind material?
- Do you offer matching lids?
- Is there an up-charge for colored pails and lids?
- Are there minimums for purchasing a stock color?
- What if I want a color other than the stock colors listed above?
- What are your lead times?
- Do you offer printing capabilities on industrial pails?
- What are the minimums for printed pails?
- What is the minimum amount that you will print?
- What are your lead times for printed products?
- What is the additional cost to have something printed on my containers?
Polyethylene
- What is the recommended temperature range for polyethylene containers?
- Are the polyethylene containers food grade?
- Are the containers microwavable?
- What colors are offered?
- What are your minimum requirements for colored containers?
- Is there an up-charge for colored containers?
- Can your containers be printed?
- Can your lids be printed?
- What are the minimums for printed containers?
- What is the maximum print area?
- Who is responsible for the artwork & plate cost?
- What if I am already purchasing printed containers from another source?
- What is the cost for creating artwork and plates?
- Is someone available in house to help?
- How do we prefer to receive the images/artwork?
- What does 5 pounders and 10 pounders refer to?
Tamper Resistant Containers
- What is a “Tamper Resistant” container?
- Are your containers 100% safe against tampering?
- What material are your containers made from?
- What is the recommended temperature range for using these containers safely?
- Are the Tamper Resistance containers food grade?
- Are these containers microwavable?
- What colors are offered?
- Is there an up-charge for colored containers?
- Can your containers be printed?
- Can your lids be printed?
- What are the minimums for printed containers?
- What is the maximum print area?
- Who is responsible for the artwork & plate cost?
- What if I am already purchasing printed containers from another source?
- What is the cost for creating artwork and plates?
- Is someone available in house to help?
- How do we prefer to receive the images/artwork?
- What are your Lead Times?
- How can I order?
General
Q. Can food be packaged in your containers?
A. Yes, the resin used in most of our containers has the FDA approval for storing and packaging of food products. However, this only applies to products made from virgin material and not from regrind material also known as Econo-Blend. It is also recommended that you purchase your food grade containers direct from Encore or a reputable distributor. We also suggest that you never use “used containers” for storing food products unless they were previously used for a food product.
Q. How come I cannot purchase the exact number of lids as the containers?
A. The reason that some of our products (lids and cups) quantities do not match is that we have made every effort to maximize pallet space for each item which allows us to reduce freight cost, which is passed on to our customers.
Q. Do you offer print on your containers?
A. Yes, depending on the size of the container we can print up to six colors.
Q. What print process do you offer?
A. We use Dry “Off-Set” printing. We also offer Heat Transfer Labels for 3.5 gal, 4.25 gal, & 5 gal containers only.
Q. What is the minimum amount that you will print?
A. Again this depends on the size of the container. Please click on the link for full details of our print minimums.
Q. What are your lead times for printed products?
A. This can vary greatly depending on quantities, container size, availability, number of colors and other factors. The entire process on an order from start to finish ranges from 3 to 8 weeks. Once credit is approval and all artwork as been approved and finalized, we can then go to production and complete the order.
Q. What is the additional cost to have something printed on my containers?
A. Unfortunately it is very difficult to quote a price without first seeing what it is that we will be printing. Much of this greatly depends on the quantity along with the number of colors to be printed.
A. Our stock colors are White, Black, Chevron Blue, Forest Green, Gray, Orange, Mobile Red, Shell Yellow, Red, Silver and BP Green.
Q. Are other colors available?
A. Other than the stock colors listed above, we can pretty much get any color that you need providing that minimums are reached.
Q. What are the minimums for colored containers?
A. For stock colors, please clink on the link. For custom colors, please contact our Customer Service department at your convenience.
Back to Earth
A. The reason to make Back To Earth and EcoSmart a part of your assortment is the growing need to reduce stress on our landfill and lower the consumption of oil. Encore is dedicated to minimizing our impact on the earth and offering alternatives to our customers who hope to do the same.
A. The basic principle of sustainability is the balance of a growing economy with social responsibility and protection of our environment.
Q. Why is sustainability important?
A. As the world’s population continues to expand, energy usage and manufacturing will grow with it. This could have serious consequences unless we find ways to use fewer resources.
Q. Does practicing sustainability cost more?
A. With Back To Earth, to manufacture a biodegradable plastic requires an additive. That additive creates additional cost but most believe the cost are justified by the end result.
EcoSmart
A. The reason to make EcoSmart a part of your assosrtment is the growing need to reduce stress on our landfill and lower the consumption of oil.
A. The basic principle of sustainability is the balance of a growing economy with social responsibility and protection of our environment.
Q. Does practicing sustainability cost more?
A. The cost of sustainability is about the same as using virgin material. Although there are savings in the material, there are increased labor costs with the recycling process.
Q. What is corporate sustainability?
A. Corporate sustainability puts practices and policies to work that aim to protect, support and enhance both the human and natural resources needed in the future. Encore’s on going conservation, recycling and waste reduction programs are in place to protect our valuable natural resources.
A. Yes, Encore recycles the water and oil used in its manufacturing processes. The scrap plastic is also recycled. Encore is paperless and continues to upgrade equipment with energy efficient machinery that increases hydraulics and decreases electrical usage.
Q. How does EcoSmart Save Resource?
A. EcoSmart saves resources by taking yesterday's products and recycling them into new products. Plastics are an oil derivative so less is needed in the manufacturing process.
Q. Are other Encore items available in the certified EcoSmart Program?
A. Yes, nearly every plastic item Encore produces can be made available with recycled plastics.
Industrial Pails
Q. What is the difference between a .70 or .90 mil 5 gallon pail?
A. The .90 mil pail is heavier, sturdier and is more commonly used throughout the industry. The .90 mil pail should always be used when packaging paints, chemicals or heavy materials such as driveway sealer, tars, detergents, etc. The .70 mil pails are recommended when packaging a dry lightweight material such as sawdust, safety kits, fasteners, etc and not exceeding 45 lbs.
A. No, our containers are NOT UN Rated. Please check with the chemical manufacturer or proper government agencies to see if a UN Rated pail is required for your material(s).
Q. Are your containers food grade?
A. Yes, all of our containers are made from a virgin FDA approved resin except the Econo-Blend containers which are made from regrind material and are not food grade.
Q. What is the difference between your virgin and regrind material?
A. Besides the fact that regrind pails can not be used in the food industry, the biggest difference is pricing. Generally regrind pails are approximately 15% to 20% less than virgin material pails. However the drawback is that regrind pails are generally not as durable as pails made from a virgin material.
Q. Do you offer matching lids?
A. Yes, we manufacture lids which are available in the same stock colors listed above.
Q. Is there an up-charge for colored pails and lids?
A. Yes, there is a small up-charge for colored pails and lids.
Q. Are there minimums for purchasing a stock color?
A. Yes, however the minimums vary depending on the size of the container. Please contact our Customer Service department and let them know which sizes you are interested in and we can provide your minimum requirement for that specific item.
Q. What if I want a color other than the stock colors listed above?
A. We can produce almost any color imaginable, however minimum quantities are higher and a small up-charge will apply. We can provide exact details after we are sent a sampling of a specific color.
A. Lead times will vary depending on color and quantity. Typically stocked items ship within 3 to 5 business days. However, non stocked items such as colored items or customized items normally take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to produce and ship.
Q. What are the minimums for printed pails?
A. Minimums vary depending on the container size and number of colors to be printed. Please contact our Customer Service department for more information.
Polyethylene
Q. What is the recommended temperature range for polyethylene containers?
A. Containers are recommended for temperatures ranging from heat temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and freeze temperature to –5 degrees Fahrenheit.