Newton Citizen

COVINGTON -- The annual Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling event will take place at Home Depot in Conyers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 9.

The Chipper program involves hundreds of Georgia communities and thousands of volunteers. Since its inception in 1991, the program has recycled approximately 4 million cut Christmas trees, according to a press release issued by Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful. The mulch from the trees has been used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects and individual yards.

Typically, seedlings are offered to those who bring their trees for recycling, but this year they will not be due to state funding cuts, said Laurie Riley, program education specialist with Keep Covington-Newton Beautiful.

The Rockdale County Recycling Center at 1200 Sigman Road will also accept trees for recycling from Dec. 30 through Jan. 9. All Neighborhood Recycling centers in Newton County accept trees for recycling any time, according to Riley.

"We're sorry there aren't any seedlings this year. People can still recycle their Christmas trees and get the mulch for free," she said.

The Davey Tree Expert Company is partnering with Keep Georgia Beautiful to mulch trees and is offering the free mulch to anyone who is interested. For more information on how to receive mulch, contact Davey Tree Expert Company at 770-451-7911.

Residents of Newton County may also call the Newton County Landfill at 770-786-5808 or Covington Recycling Center at 770-385-2064. Mulch is available for free at those locations any time.

"We can't guarantee it's your tree," Riley said, noting that some people make that request.

Free mulch is also available at the Rockdale County Recycling Center any time. Those who need assistance with loading can call 770-785-6883.