In collaboration with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, The Home Depot, Davey Tree Expert Company, Georgia Forestry Commission, WXIA 11 Alive, Ferry Morse Company, and Burpee Seed Company, Keep Liberty Beautiful recycled over 471 Christmas trees on Saturday, January 7 during its annual Bring One for the Chipper event, joining over 6 million trees that have been diverted from landfills statewide since the program’s inception in 1991.
“When people come together to help our environment, it benefits us all,” said Dr. Karen Bell, executive director of the Keep Liberty Beautiful. “Bring One for the Chipper “ is one way our community can repurpose trees that normally go to the landfill. It warmed my heart to see all the Christmas trees for the chipper and the people wanting to plant trees. KLB is thankful for all the local sponsors, volunteers, and participants who came out and supported this event.”
The trees will be recycled into mulch for playgrounds, city and county landscaping projects, and individual home use. They also will be used to provide habitats for fish and other animals.
Tree recycling programs like Bring One for the Chipper also support wider eco-friendly holiday efforts. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, for each tree harvested, one to three seedlings are planted in its place. Nearly 350 million Christmas trees currently grow on U.S. farms, absorbing carbon dioxide, emitting fresh oxygen, stabilizing soil, protecting water supplies, and providing refuge for wildlife.
“Bring One for the Chipper benefits communities in a number of ways,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “Each year, tens of thousands of trees across the state get repurposed into mulch for trails or community gardens, or provide shelter for aquatic life. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and we’re thankful for the volunteers and participants that make that possible.”
About Keep Liberty Beautiful
Keep Liberty Beautiful is a community education, volunteer action organization focused on litter prevention, beautification and community improvement, waste reduction and recycling, storm-water pollution, water conservation education, and awareness. KLB has been an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful since 1983. Keep Liberty Beautiful embraces the goal of Keep America Beautiful: To engage individuals in taking greater responsibility for improving their community environments. To learn more about Keep Liberty Beautiful or get involved in its volunteering programs, please call (912) 880-4888, email klcb@libertycountyga. com or visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org.
About the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation
The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation has a 45-year history of doing the little things that make a big difference in Georgia’s communities. Established in 1978, we aim to educate and inspire Georgians to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environments. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation supports more than 70 local affiliates across the state, and its programs represent 80% of Georgia’s population. It also strives to engage new communities and individuals in efforts to end littering, promote recycling and waste reduction, and beautify communities. For more information, visit www. kgbf.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
