The Californer - Students Celebrate Earth Month and Learn About the Lifecycle of Trees

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Todd Douthit presents TICCIT to 2nd graders

Leanne Turpin helps bundle saplings to take home

Kevin Pittner teaches about the lifecycle of trees

Interactive presentation from Colbert Packaging demonstrates the renewability and sustainability of paper and paperboard packaging

KENOSHA, Wis. - Californer -- Where is the oldest tree in the world and what is its name?* Students from Riverview School in Silver Lake, Wisconsin, and Bittersweet Elementary School in Mishawaka, Indiana, recently learned the answers during a special presentation given by corporate neighbor Colbert Packaging (colbertpkg.com). Building on its tradition of educating students about sustainability and the circular lifecycle of trees and papermaking, Colbert employee teams reached more than 150 second- and third-grade students with 'TICCIT' presentations. TICCIT is an acronym for "Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees."

Trees Into Cartons
After learning how paper is made from trees, students viewed photos from Colbert's manufacturing locations showing huge rolls of paperboard ready to be loaded onto presses for printing, cutting and gluing into cartons to hold medicines and various consumer goods. Since paperboard is 100% recyclable, photos also depicted how Colbert collects production scrap, recycling tons of material in a typical year. In addition, Colbert's commitment to sustainability includes support of zero manufacturing waste to landfill practices, certification with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), and participation in EcoVadis' business sustainability ratings platform. Colbert Packaging has earned an EcoVadis rating that puts the company in the top 35% of rated companies, globally, for sustainability.

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Cartons Into Trees
After the presentation, the hands-on activity gave students the opportunity to plant a sapling into a biodegradable paperboard carton filled with soil to bring home. The carton can be planted directly into the ground, providing protection and a natural water funnel for the new tree. As the tree grows, the carton will break down and complete the "trees into cartons, cartons into trees" cycle.

"The TICCIT curriculum teaches the next generation that trees are a sustainable crop, just like other agricultural crops such as corn and soybeans, and highlights the importance of recycling," said Colbert Marketing Manager Wanda Speer.

Riverview School elementary teacher, Andrea Zackery summed it up: "The TICCIT program's presentation on recycling, reforestation and environmental restoration by planting trees to combat climate change, restore ecosystems, and promote biodiversity was very beneficial for our students. They are excited about helping the environment by planting their trees. Some of the students even gave their trees a name! The volunteers are helpful and kind and show passion for what they do."

Earth Day 2025 marks the eighth year of Colbert's involvement in TICCIT. The event was organized and led by Colbert Human Resources Managers Todd Douthit and Kevin Pittner, along with volunteer employees from Colbert's Kenosha and Elkhart locations. For more information about Colbert Packaging's commitment to sustainability, visit

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https://colbertpkg.com/sustainability/

About TICCIT
Created by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), of which Colbert Packaging is a member, the TICCIT program teaches young learners about the role trees play in the environment and underscores the importance of recycling. Children learn to recognize sustainable packaging and understand how recycling paper-based packaging completes the circle of cartons into trees. The TICCIT program was launched by the PPC in 2010 and is available to schools, organizations, home schools and sponsors (like Colbert Packaging) across the country. Visit https://ticcit.info/ for more information.

About Colbert Packaging
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 Custom Packaging Solutions | Colbert Packaging - Colbert Packaging

*Answers: California and Methuselah