Evergreen Packaging, Memphis, Tenn., a leader in beverage paperboard carton manufacturing, announced the winners of its fifth Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest. Ira B. Jones Elementary School from Asheville, N.C., won the grand prize of $5,000 for their carton replica of Jerry the Giraffe, made out of 1,500 cartons. The contest theme for Fall 2014 was "Sculptures." The students were inspired to build the creation after learning about the endangered West African Giraffe, and wanted to raise awareness to protect endangered species and their habitats.

Each of the 109 participating teams was required to write a short essay detailing how their school would use the prize money if they won. Extra consideration was given if the prize money would be used to support eco-friendly practices. Ira B. Jones Elementary students plan to use their grand prize to build a track and other fitness structures from recycled materials to promote healthy lifestyles, as well as create edible landscaping by planting fruit trees and other elements to encourage healthy eating and living.

Since August 2012, Evergreen Packaging has utilized the Made by Milk program to raise awareness among consumers on the benefits of paper cartons. Cartons are a great packaging choice because more than 70% of milk carton packaging is paper, made from trees, a renewable resource. Currently, more than 61 million households in the United States have access to recycling programs that accept paper cartons.

13 other schools were recognized across various categories for their innovative and creative carton designs. They include:

• People's Choice Winner:
  o Hiawatha Elementary School, Hiawatha, Kan.; "Milk Man Says, 'Herd Milk Was Super'"
• Elementary – more than 300 cartons
  o PS 176Q, Queens, N.Y.; "Milk Master 5000"
  o Kelly Mill Elementary, Cumming, Georgia; "Beware of the Greeks Bearing Gifts"
  o P4K@81, Brooklyn, N.Y.; "The Three Brave Goats"
• Elementary – under 300 cartons
  o Roanoke Elementary School, Roanoke, Ind.; "Exploring the Moo-n"
  o K. Tarver Elementary School, Laredo, Texas; "Milk Power with Mario"
  o Calhoun Elementary School, Calhoun, Ga.; "Stinger"
• Middle/High School – more than 300 cartons
  o Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, N.Y.; "DOZO Sculpts Haring"
  o Ringgold Middle School, Ringgold, Ga.; "Milk Carton Holiday Tree Decorated Origami Ornaments"
  o Loup City Schools, Loup City, Neb.; "Prairie Silhouette"
• Middle/High School – under 300 cartons
  o St. Gertrude School, Cincinnati, Ohio; "As You See It"
  o Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, East Windsor, N.J.; "Super Recycling Man"
  o Freedom Prep Middle School, Camden, N.J.; "The Flight of the Dragon on the Pathway to College"

The next Made By Milk Construction Contest will take place in Fall 2015. For more information and to view all entries, visit www.madebymilkcontest.com.

SOURCE: Evergreen Packaging