Christmas Tree Recycling Begins Dec. 26

Beginning the day after Christmas, the Gwinnett community will continue the annual tradition of Christmas tree recycling through Georgia’s "Bring One for the Chipper Program."

More than 30,000 trees were recycled last year; however, due to the economy,  fewer trees are expected this year.

This annual tradition began in 1984, as a partnership between Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, 13 local , Georgia Power and Jackson EMC to reduce the illegal dumping of trees on roadsides. Since the beginning of the program, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million trees have been recycled and diverted from landfills.

Residents are encouraged to give back to nature by bringing their , stripped of all , to one of approximately 30 local drop-off locations between December 26 and January 16. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

The recycled trees will be put to use through the creation of mulch. Most of the mulch will be used to help beautify Gwinnett County parks. Landfill space will also be saved, as the average Christmas tree weighs 20 pounds and fills up almost as much landfill space as a

Annually, Gwinnettians recycle one out of every five Christmas trees recycled in Georgia.  For the past eight years Gwinnett has recycled the most trees in the state.  Placed end to end, the trees collected in Gwinnett last year would stretch from Norcross to Forsyth.

Once the trees are collected from the drop-off locations, community volunteers will chip them into mulch at the “Bring One for the Chipper” event, scheduled 9 a.m. - Noon on Saturday, January 21, at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville. 

Residents interested in volunteering at this event should visit the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful website at www.gwinnettcb.org or call 770-822-5187. All volunteers must be at least 12 years of age to participate.

Participating drop-off locations in the Snellville area are listed below, and on the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful website, www.gwinnettcb.org.

Snellville

, 3890 Johnson Drive, 30039

2815 Lenora Church Road, 30078

Lilburn

Fire Station 2, 12 Harmony Grove Road, 30047

Fire Station 3, 4394 Five Forks-Trickum Road, 30047

Fire Station 22, 2180 Stone Drive, 30047

Loganville

Fire Station 28, 3725 Rosebud Road, 30052

Fire Station 30, 1052 Ozora Road, 30052

(Editor's Note: This article is from a press release from Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful.)