Group urges tree recycling

As the holidays come to a close, residents might wonder what to do with their Christmas trees. One local group offers a solution.

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Keep Columbia County Beautiful will hold its third annual Christmas tree recycling event, "Bring One for the Chipper," on Saturday at the Home Depot on Bobby Jones Expressway.

People may drop off their trees between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to be recycled into mulch, fuel or fish habitats.

"The mulch is free to the public," said Stacie Adkins, Columbia County Community Events manager who also serves as coordinator of Keep Columbia County Beautiful. "Citizens can bring their trucks to fill with the mulch on the 6th."

It is important for people to remove any decorations prior to donation. A portion of the Home Depot parking lot will be roped off for participants to leave their trees.

"Citizens may receive a tree seedling (dogwood) in exchange for donating a tree on the day of the event," Adkins said.

Home Depot, Georgia Power, Davey Tree and Lawn Care Experts, Asplundh, Georgia Forestry Commission and 4-H have all contributed to making the event possible.

Keep Columbia County Beautiful also will observe Arbor Day, Earth Day, Great American Clean Up, and conducte a spring and fall clean up. The county Web site (www.columbiacountyga.gov) contains more information regarding these events.

Columbia County also will hold its second Electronics Recycling Day for recycling old computers and electronic equipment on March 10 at the government complex, in Evans, Adkins said.

For more information about "Bring One for the Chipper" or Keep Columbia County Beautiful, call Stacie Adkins at (706) 312-7191.