My understanding is that in Washington State you aren't supposed to re-use cartons if you are selling via a farmer's market or selling to stores or restaurants. If you are selling at your doorstep there is no regulation.
I sell at my doorstep. But taking the spirit of the law, I reuse plastic containers -- those berry & tomato boxes from Costco are great, and I have one customer who brings her own plastic carton. I like that they can be washed. I've found with the paper cartons that a little food can spill in there, dry, and not be visible. Seems like a good set-up for bacteria.
With the new chicks coming on line and the free shipping deal, I just ordered a bunch of recyclable plastic cartons from eggcartons.com, which I will provide at my cost (including what shipping would cost if I need to order more before the year is out). People can bring them back clean to refill or buy a new one. It doesn't matter to me since I'm not losing money on them. But I discourage them from re-using paper cartons.
