Coast to coast, Keep America Beautiful affiliates host Christmas tree recycling events.

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), located in Reno, Nevada, hosted its annual Christmas Tree Recycling program from Dec. 26-Jan. 7. KTMB collected over 10,000 trees to be chipped and used as mulch to combat soil erosion and for weed abatement projects at local area parks. Since starting this program in 2003, KTMB has recycled more than 159,000 trees with the help of thousands of volunteers and its partners.

“We are so grateful to have the support of our volunteers and partners to make this event happen each year,” said KTMB Executive Director Christi Cakiroglu. “And, of course, we are so thankful to NV Energy, which has provided a match for donations collected through this program since 2011.”

Affiliates across Georgia participated in the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ tree recycling event on Jan. 4. Since its inception 29 years ago, participating locations have recycled over 6 million trees. The 2020 numbers are not yet finalized as many locations continue collecting and chipping trees through the end of the month.

In Sandy Springs, Georgia, Keep North Fulton Beautiful (KNFB) hosted tree recycling events at three locations across the area. The trees collected are recycled into mulch for playgrounds, city and county landscaping projects, and for individuals to use at home. They are also used to provide habitats for fish and other animals. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful (KRFB) in Rome, Georgia, was also among the participating affiliates. At KRFB’s event, several people with lakes and ponds on their property collected discarded trees to use to improve fish habitat. The remaining trees are mulched for city projects. KRFB also handed out free saplings to participants.

Keep Waco Beautiful in Texas hosted its ‘Chipping of the Green’ event in which they chipped over 560 Christmas trees. Participants also received free saplings, as well as a bag of mulch.

To recycle trees, they must be free of lights, ornaments, stands, tinsel, and other decorations. They should also not be placed in any type of bag.