Second graders from Wisconsin and Indiana discover ‘Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees’

Kenosha, WI – 135 second-grade students from Trevor, Wisconsin, and Mishawaka, Indiana, celebrated Earth Week by learning about the cycle of life from trees to paper and back to trees. The educational outreach program was presented by corporate neighbor Colbert Packaging. The interactive session is dubbed TICCIT for, “Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees.” Created by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), of which Colbert Packaging is a member, the program teaches young learners about the role trees play in the environment and our circular economy. The program teaches the importance of recognizing sustainable packaging and supporting the recyclability of paper-based packaging. The visual presentation was topped off with a hands-on session where students were invited to prepare and take home their very own tree sapling in a paperboard planter.

This marks the sixth year of Colbert’s involvement in TICCIT, and the first year of its company-wide participation, dispatching both Kenosha and Elkhart teams to conduct the program locally. Students and teachers participated with great enthusiasm. Trevor-Wilmot Elementary Second Grade Teacher Mary Fenske said, “We’re grateful to Colbert for such a wonderful presentation and the gift of all the trees. The kids really enjoyed the whole program!” Mishawaka’s Bittersweet Elementary Principal Shonda Masterson said the 75 second graders were very receptive. “Bittersweet students loved learning about ways to help our environment, facts about trees, and being good stewards. Students were so eager to get home and plant their trees!”

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to share the importance of environmental stewardship with an enthusiastic audience of local students,” said Colbert Marketing Manager Wanda Speer.

Colbert’s commitment to sustainability includes supporting renewable energy through its investment in Wind RECs, working toward zero manufacturing waste to landfill, and partnering with EcoVadis (ecovadis.com) and its business sustainability ratings platform, with access to benchmarks and performance improvement tools.

The TICCIT program was launched by the PPC in 2010 and is available to schools, organizations, home schools and sponsors (like Colbert) across the country. Visit ticcit.info for more information. For more information about Colbert Packaging’s commitment to sustainability, visit https://colbertpkg.com/sustainability/

Founded in 1959, Colbert Packaging has grown its repertoire of paperboard packaging solutions into one of the most comprehensive, diverse and inventive portfolios in the industry, serving pharmaceutical, healthcare and consumer goods customers. Colbert’s Kenosha, Wisconsin facility produces offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels and package inserts; the Elkhart, Indiana operation includes folding carton production and paper tray forming. Learn more at www.colbertpkg.com.