Because just going to a feed store and buying crates (which are insanely cheap) greatly reduces the risk of any industrial chemicals / sterilizers / pesticides (the sorts of things eggs and fruit are treated with) having built up on the egg crate which crickets will almost definitely eat a little of not to mention be in constant contact with.
I would imagine egg crates from certified organic products would be okay though...
That is a very good idea. I would probably go with a few sheets of computer paper that doesn't have any ink on it because I don't know if the ink is bad for anything. I've had more than a few birds eat tons of newspaper so it can't be that toxic...
This got me wondering about just buying a cheap roll of that brown craft paper. My wife picked up some at the dollar store for something else she was doing but it would be even cheaper than egg crate (I checked the local Tractor Supply last night and they are .49 each locally) and would be perfect if crumbled a little. I just don't know how it would stand up the moisture in a cricket bin.
I volunteer one afternoon (more like 1-2 hours) per month at a nursing home just chatting with elderly folks, which is in and of itself amazing and a huge pick me up... but early on after become a chameleon owner I walked into the kitchen and asked the staff if they ever had any egg flats.... and now every single time I go there they can't wait to present me with a HUGE box of 50-100 12x12 egg flats.... Just a thought... I would think the same is probably true of hospitals and other institutions if you just show a little kindness etc...