Paperboard Industry Plants Deep Roots with TICCIT®
- Published: July 18, 2019
Students across the U.S. and Mexico learned valuable lessons about recycling and sustainability when paperboard packaging manufacturers recently taught TICCIT® in their local communities. Short for “Trees Into Cartons, Cartons, Into Trees,” TICCIT is an educational outreach program from the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).
An annual tradition for many folding carton and rigid box manufacturers, TICCIT 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 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.
“It is always inspiring to see our industry come together and make a difference,” said Ben Markens, PPC president. “Not only does TICCIT 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—and that is a great feeling.”
Some of the participating PPC members included: Accord Carton Company, American Carton Company, Colbert Packaging, Diamond Packaging, Graphic Packaging International, Indiana Carton Company, Matik, Metsä Board, Southern Champion Tray, The Standard Group, WestRock, and Wikoff Color Corporation.
TICCIT is fun for students and presenters, and it’s easy for manufacturers to plan and execute. Classroom materials, including a customizable PowerPoint presentation, are available for free download on PPC’s website.
To learn more, visit paperbox.org/ticcit.
