Final answer:
Shipping cartons are not used in sterile storage areas because they are not sterile, risking contamination of medical items that require a sterile environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shipping cartons are not acceptable storage containers in the Sterile Storage area primarily because they are not sterile. This characteristic is crucial in maintaining a sterile environment to prevent contamination of medical items that require sterilization. Items such as egg cartons; packing peanuts; disposable cups, plates, trays, and cutlery; along with disposable take-away containers are examples of products that do not require sterilization, unlike the carefully controlled medical items stored in a Sterile Storage area.