August 29, 2025
The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) is excited to announce the release of Thinking Outside the Box, a brand-new activity collection developed in partnership with Project Learning Tree® (PLT), an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The release of this innovative resource marks the first major milestone in ICPF’s two-year partnership with PLT and aims to bring the world of corrugated packaging to K–12 classrooms, helping students see the industry as a vibrant, sustainable career path.
By integrating corrugated products, industry norms, and information about the boxmaking process into hands-on learning activities, Thinking Outside the Box reveals the impact of the corrugated packaging industry on the environment, economy, and consumers’ daily lives. The activity collection includes six interactive PLT lessons customized for students in grades K–12. Each activity is designed to give students and educators a fresh look at how corrugated packaging advances sustainability and supports a circular economy while incorporating relevant curricular standards and tools. Dedicated “career corners” throughout the collection also highlight 10 in-demand careers across the industry, providing early exposure to potential pathways.
“This collaboration is about more than creating new resources that will excite both students and educators. It’s about breaking down barriers and elevating different entry points to the corrugated packaging industry, showing young people the kinds of meaningful, sustainable job opportunities that exist,” says Caitlin Salaverria, president of ICPF. “By partnering with experts in environmental education at PLT, we’re planting the seed early so future generations can see the endless career opportunities our industry has to offer.”
The release of Thinking Outside the Box brings about the second phase of the ICPF and PLT’s partnership, which will support targeted professional development opportunities for educators and counselors to amplify the reach of these materials on a national scale. In addition, representatives from ICPF and PLT exhibited and presented at the National Career Development Association Global Career Development Conference in June in Atlanta, promoting these resources to career counselors and career service practitioners across the United States.
To access the complete activity collection, Green Jobs Fact Sheets, academic standards, and more, visit www.plt.org/icpf or www.careersincorrugated.com/connecting-students-with-corrugated.
Caitlin Salaverria is president of ICPF.
