“Hearts in Cartons” – When GenZ gives milk cartons a new life

After nearly three months since its launch, the “Hearts in Cartons” project has not only made an impact through its impressive collection results but has also spread meaningful and human-centered values. From a small initiative, the project has connected the PennSchool community to take action for the environment, contributing step by step to building a more sustainable future.

Recently, the founding members of the project – PennSchool’s “environmental advocates” – completed their review and delivered over 12kg of used milk cartons to Tetra Pak Vietnam for recycling. What once seemed like items that had fulfilled their purpose are now given the opportunity to begin a new life cycle. The journey of these cartons not only marks a meaningful milestone for the project but also carries the pride of the entire PennSchool community.

For Quy Khang, one of the core members of the project, this journey is not only an environmental initiative but also a deeply valuable learning experience

“At the beginning of the “Heart in Cartons” project, the milk cartons were just like any other trash to be tossed away after finishing. It seemed useless and no one thought about what to do with it. But as we began to work with Tetra Pak to give these containers a second life, our perspective shifted completely. We started to see that these items aren’t just trash; they are resources that deserve a bit of care and a second chance to be something meaningful. 

There’s a really nice feeling that comes with this work. It sounds simple, but there is something so satisfying about rinsing out a carton, flattening it, and stacking it neatly. It’s a great moment where you feel like you’re actually doing something good instead of just worrying about the planet’s pollution problem. It makes us feel like we have a bit of power to fix things, one box at a time.

Because of the way Tetra Pak reuses them, they can be turned into so many cool things like: notebooks, new milk cartons, or paper bags. It’s amazing to think that a carton I had could eventually become part of something else. It makes the things we use feel more connected to the rest of the world.

In my view, the “Heart in Cartons” project isn’t just about cleaning up trash, it’s about making the world better. Working with Tetra Pak showed us that our little actions can actually help build a cleaner world. It feels good to know that something we once just threw away is now part of a bigger, kinder story for the planet.”

Beyond the numbers, the project has helped shift mindsets, nurture a sense of responsibility, and promote a sustainable lifestyle within the student community. Each collected milk carton is not only an act of environmental protection but also a testament to the care and commitment of the younger generation toward the planet.