Smurfit Westrock volunteers engage students during a TICCIT presentation focused on recycling and renewable packaging. Across multiple events in 2026, Smurfit Westrock teams helped bring TICCIT programming to more than 9,800 students in the United States and Canada, reinforcing the importance of sustainability, recycling, and responsible forest management.

PPC Member Companies Help Inspire the Next Generation Through Hands-On Sustainability Education

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) proudly celebrates another successful season of TICCIT® (Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees), the industry's signature sustainability education program that teaches students about trees, recycling, renewable resources, and the circular nature of paperboard packaging.

Throughout the spring, PPC member companies visited classrooms and communities across North America, helping students understand how paperboard packaging is made, why sustainable forestry matters, and how recycling supports a healthier future. Through interactive presentations and hands-on tree-planting activities, students experienced firsthand the connection among forests, paperboard packaging, and environmental stewardship.

Through TICCIT, students discover that the paperboard package they see every day has a much bigger story behind it. They learn how trees become cartons, how cartons can be recycled, and how renewable materials contribute to a circular economy. When students take home a tree sapling packaged in a paperboard carton made by one of our member companies and plant it with their families, the message of Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees becomes real. Those experiences spark curiosity, create lasting memories, and often open young minds to the many creative, technical, and business careers available in our industry.

Participating PPC member companies included 3A Press, Accord Carton, American Carton Company, Case Paper Co., Colbert Packaging, Curtis Packaging, Diamond Packaging, Joe Piper Inc., Malnove, Manchester Industries, Metsä Board, Pak-Pro, PaperWorks, RRD, Smurfit Westrock, Southern Champion Tray, and Valco Melton.

The 2026 TICCIT season marked an exciting milestone for the program as participation expanded into new communities across North America. This year, PPC welcomed first-time participants, reached students in new regions, including Canada and Puerto Rico, and engaged more young learners than ever before.

The growth reflects the enthusiasm of PPC members and the increasing demand for hands-on sustainability education. As TICCIT continues to gain momentum, PPC looks forward to building on this success and inspiring even more students, families, and communities in the years ahead. Member highlights included:

3A Press participated for the first time, bringing the program to Escuela Elemental Urbana in Lajas, Puerto Rico. In partnership with Para la Naturaleza, students planted approximately 200 saplings across school grounds, supporting a long-term vision to create shade, beautify the campus, and leave a lasting gift for future generations.

Accord Carton introduced more than 110 students at Hazelgreen Elementary School to the importance of recycling, renewable resources, and sustainable packaging. Each student planted a white pine sapling and took it home as part of the experience.

Case Paper Co. supported TICCIT outreach efforts by helping distribute 114 trees while promoting sustainability education in local communities.

Colbert Packaging hosted three TICCIT events across its operations while also organizing employee engagement activities and volunteer education programs that helped build excitement around participation.

Curtis Packaging continued its commitment to environmental stewardship by supporting TICCIT activities and helping connect students to the importance of responsible forestry and renewable packaging.

Diamond Packaging further demonstrated its longstanding commitment to sustainability through participation in TICCIT and related environmental education initiatives.

Joe Piper Inc. brought TICCIT to fifth-grade students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Birmingham, Alabama. Students not only received saplings to plant at home but also worked together to plant a tree on school grounds as a lasting reminder of the day's lessons.

Malnove supported TICCIT efforts through its Jacksonville and Omaha operations, helping bring sustainability education and tree-planting experiences to local students.

Manchester Industries, a division of Clearwater Paper, hosted a TICCIT event at The Museum School of Avondale Estates near Atlanta, Georgia. Students learned about paperboard packaging, trees, and recycling before planting saplings to take home and helping plant a tree on school property.

Metsä Board Americas introduced approximately 80 students at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School to sustainable forestry, renewable paper-based packaging, and environmental stewardship through its TICCIT presentation.

Pak-Pro brought TICCIT to third-grade students at a local elementary school in Toccoa, Georgia, helping students understand the connection between forests, recycling, and sustainable packaging.

PaperWorks hosted a TICCIT event at Baden Public School in Baden, Ontario, where fifth- and sixth-grade students received approximately 70 saplings and learned about responsible forest management and paperboard packaging.

RRD hosted six TICCIT events across the country, including activities in Seattle, Washington; West Chester, Ohio; Osage, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; York, South Carolina; and Clover, South Carolina. Through these efforts, the company distributed 468 saplings while teaching students about sustainability and renewable resources.

Southern Champion Tray volunteers spent time with local third-grade students in Tennessee and Texas, helping them understand the value of recycling, responsible forestry, and paperboard packaging.

Valco Melton brought TICCIT to fifth-grade students at E.H. Green Elementary School, where students learned about paperboard manufacturing, recycling, and sustainable forestry before receiving saplings of their own.

Across North America, Smurfit Westrock demonstrated standout leadership this year. The company hosted more than 71 TICCIT events, reaching nearly 10,000 students across the United States and Canada. Volunteer teams led sustainability lessons, tree-planting activities, and discussions on renewable resources and recycling, helping thousands of students better understand the environmental benefits of paper-based packaging.

The scale of Smurfit Westrock's participation demonstrates the powerful impact the paperboard packaging industry can have when companies invest in sustainability education and community engagement.

While every TICCIT event looks different, the message remains the same: renewable resources, responsible forestry, recycling, and sustainable packaging all play an important role in creating a more sustainable future.

"The success of TICCIT comes from the passion and commitment of our member companies," said Emily Leonczyk, President of the Paperboard Packaging Council. "The program reflects the values of our industry and our commitment to investing in education, sustainability awareness, and community outreach. Each year, employees from PPC member companies volunteer their time, expertise, and creativity to bring the program to life. What makes TICCIT unique is that every company puts its own spin on the experience, creating meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and families to learn about renewable resources, responsible forestry, and the role packaging plays in everyday life.”

“When you look at the collective impact of our members working together across North America, the results are remarkable. Thousands of students gain a new perspective on sustainability each year, and that ripple effect extends far beyond the classroom into homes, families, and communities."

PPC extends its sincere appreciation to all participating member companies for helping make the 2026 TICCIT program a success.