Cheryl Dunson, vice president of marketing for Santek Environmental Inc., called recycling a “fitting farewell” to the trees, wreaths and other evergreens that have graced residences, offices and businesses with their beauty and earthy fragrances since Thanksgiving.
“Once you’ve packed up your Christmas ornaments and salvaged bows and ribbons for next year, give your Christmas Tree an environmentally fitting farewell,” the Santek representative said. “Recycle it!”
This year’s annual Chipping of the Green Christmas Tree Recycling Program begins Sunday, Dec. 26, and will continue through Jan. 8, a Saturday, at the Bradley County Landfill.
Landfill personnel will accept trees and wreaths during regular operational hours and will grind them into mulch. Unlimited amounts of mulch will be free to the public, Dunson explained.
The Urbane Road and Peerless Road recycling centers will also accept trees during the holiday season.
“Recycling your Christmas Tree not only makes good environmental sense, but it’s also free and readily available at a number of locations, and it results in a valuable resource,” Dunson said.
In addition to Santek and the Bradley County Mayor’s Office, the program is sponsored by the Bradley County Road Department which is supplying the chipper, as well as the Bradley County Commission.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, for every Christmas Tree harvested, as many as three more are planted, which helps counteract possible greenhouse effects, produce oxygen and clean water, and provide a habitat for wildlife.
For added convenience, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said the recycling centers don’t have to be open for residents to drop off their trees.
“Residents can just drop their trees outside the gate, regardless of whether we’re open,” Davis said. “We’ll make sure they get transported to the landfill where they’ll be chipped.”
He also encouraged residents to take advantage of the other source reduction programs at the three collection centers. Year-round, all sites accept glass, aluminum, cardboard, mixed paper and newsprint. This year, the Peerless Road Center began accepting electronics and the landfill also accepts waste oils, lead-acid batteries and white goods.
Located off Pleasant Grove Road in McDonald, the Bradley County Landfill is open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Urbane Road Recycling Site is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Peerless Road Recycling Center is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact Cheryl Dunson at Santek at 476-9160.
