Since 2010, our TICCIT® Program — short for Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees — has been growing more than new trees every spring. This educational outreach program connects boxmakers and elementary school students throughout the country to teach young minds about the uses and importance of trees and paper.
With a brief in-class presentation, TICCIT teaches children about recycling, how sustainable practices support people and the environment, and how the paperboard packaging industry participates in the process. Afterwards, the students put lessons into practice in a hands-on session where they get to plant their own sapling, nestled and nurtured in a paperboard container, thus completing the cycle!
We received great accounts from members this year, including Colbert Packaging Corporation, Diamond Packaging, Komori America, Koenig & Bauer, and Graphic Packaging International.
For Plants and Animals
Building off their previous efforts, Diamond Packaging returned to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY, to enrich the local students and animals. In addition to trees, 250 students helped plant wildflower seeds in specially-made paperboard folding cartons. This act supported the Seneca Park Zoo’s Butterfly Beltway conservation project, creating a safe habitat for monarch butterflies.
A Global Initiative
Koenig & Bauer partnered with the German International School of Dallas to teach their roster of global students. Not only does it help expand the reach of sustainable practices in our nation, but their lessons can connect with family and friends across the globe. It was exciting to see the passion for recycling held by the students and staff of the German International School of Dallas.
“This was a very important and exciting program for our students,” says Annegret Richardson, school director at the German International School of Dallas. “We teach about recycling and nature throughout the year. Koenig & Bauer’s program enhanced those lessons. We taught our students about Earth Day throughout the week leading to the Koenig & Bauer event and this was the grand finale. Our students were so excited and couldn’t wait for the program.”
A Sense of Community
Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how people interact on a day-to-day basis. With remote work, school, and events, as well as distancing practices, our communities and the scope of them have expanded, but has also felt further apart.
Graphic Packaging International (GPI) took efforts to bring together the students, staff, and faculty at their TICCIT event. Their TICCIT was a celebration of people joining together for a common cause, a desire to learn and grow like the trees they planted. GPI was excited by their turnout of 1,000 students, but plan to make their event even bigger next year!
We are so inspired by all of our members who participated in TICCIT this year! To learn more about TICCIT, the impact it has on our students and environment, and how you can participate, get started here.