PPC Program Helps Converters Educate Children About Recycling, Trees

A sample slide from PPC’s TICCIT classroom presentation.

The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) will hold its annual TICCIT Program during the week of Earth Day, from April 18 to 22. Short for “Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees,” TICCIT is a community outreach initiative that provides all the resources necessary for folding carton converters to educate local school children about the recyclability and sustainability of paper as well as the environmental benefits of trees.

To participate, folding carton converters and industry suppliers are encouraged to use the free TICCIT program guide, which is full of content and tips, as well as the classroom presentation, to lead educational workshops at schools in their community to honor Earth Day. Participants may customize the materials to suit various age groups and learning environments.

In addition, PPC has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide discounted tree saplings for participants to distribute to schoolchildren. Participating companies can help the students plant their saplings in paperboard cartons and then instruct them on how to plant the sapling-carton units in their backyards or neighborhoods. The students learn that the cartons provide protection and a natural water funnel for the new trees, and that as the trees grow, the cartons will biodegrade and complete the "trees into cartons, cartons into trees" cycle.

“It is integral, not only for our industry, but also for the sake of our environment, to educate the younger generations on the sustainability of paperboard and the positive impacts of planting trees,” Ben Markens, PPC president, says. “I am thrilled that PPC can once again work with our members as well as the Arbor Day Foundation in order to promote this powerful message.”

The Arbor Day Foundation is providing a variety of saplings, suitable for different regions of the country, at the discounted price of $1.10 each. Any company interested in participating should place their orders at arborday.org/PPC no later than April 1 for guaranteed delivery by April 18.

For ideas on how to implement this unique educational program and to download the free classroom materials, visit www.paperbox.org/TICCIT.

Source: Paperboard Packaging Council.