Students across the United States and Mexico learned valuable lessons about recycling and sustainability when paperboard packaging manufacturers recently taught TICCIT庐 in their local communities. Short for 鈥淭rees Into Cartons, Cartons, Into Trees,鈥� TICCIT庐 is an educational outreach program from the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).
An annual tradition for many folding carton and rigid box manufacturers, TICCIT庐 is designed to teach third through fifth graders about the positive environmental impact of trees and paper. The curriculum shows students that trees are a sustainable crop just like fruits and veggies. It also highlights the many uses of trees and paper and underscores the importance of recycling.
In addition to a classroom presentation, TICCIT庐 includes a fun, hands-on component: students plant tree saplings in paperboard cartons to take home. Some manufacturers even print their own cartons for the occasion. The carton, when planted directly in the ground, provides protection and a natural water funnel for the new tree. As the tree grows, the carton will break down and complete the “trees into cartons, cartons into trees” cycle.
In total, manufacturers across the country donated over 17,000 saplings that families can now see taking root. 鈥淚t is always inspiring to see our industry come together and make a difference,鈥� said Ben Markens, PPC president. 鈥淣ot only does TICCIT庐 help our members plant thousands of trees, it also gives them the opportunity to show the next generation of consumers how they can help the planet. We are creating young environmental stewards鈥攁nd that is a great feeling.鈥�
Some of the participating PPC members included: Accord Carton Company, American Carton Company, Colbert Packaging, Diamond Packaging, Graphic Packaging International, Indiana Carton Company, Matik, Mets盲 Board, Southern Champion Tray, The Standard Group, WestRock, and Wikoff Color Corporation.
TICCIT庐 is fun for students and presenters, and it鈥檚 easy for manufacturers to plan and execute. Classroom materials, including a customizable PowerPoint presentation, are available for free download on PPC鈥檚 website.