W. H. Leary Company led another successful Trees Into Cartons – Cartons Into Trees (TICCIT) event this year, at Noonan School in Mokena, Ill.
TICCIT is a Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) sponsored program that runs in tandem with Earth Day and Arbor Day. The initiative sheds light on the sustainability of paperboard packaging. PPC states, “We must do a better job of educating the public what our industry has known for generations – that paperboard packaging, unlike fossil-fuel based plastic packaging, is made from a renewable resource, is recyclable and the best choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. Over 60% of all communities in the U.S. are collecting paperboard, exceeding the “recyclable” threshold established by the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides.”
Daniel McCarty, Director of Engineering at Leary, taught the K-8th graders at Noonan School how Leary plays a role in paper manufacturing, carton manufacturing, and recycling. Following the presentation, a team of Leary volunteers and parent helpers answered the students’ individual questions and then turned various empty cartons into planters for young tree saplings. Leary provided a variety of saplings, from Colorado Blue Spruces to Red Cider, which each of the students then took home to plant in their gardens. “I think it’s wonderful for kids to learn about the paper recycling process early. And getting their hands dirty by planting new trees with TICCIT makes it a fun educational experience for them. Being able to represent W.H. Leary’s part in the overall cycle is a great way of remembering that even in small ways, what we do can be fun, meaningful, and sustainable”, says McCarty.
As a result of this event, 300 young trees were given a new home, 300 students learned all about recycling and how the paperboard industry plays a role, and most importantly, students were able to give back to the environment. “Every year the TICCIT program gives us an opportunity to give back to the community in a fun and constructive way. Students learn about the impact trees make on our environment and how they and the paperboard packaging industry can work together to make a difference,” shared Kevin Leary, President/CEO at Leary.
Thank you to PPC, participating schools and Leary volunteers for all of your contribution to make TICCIT a success!
