The Classic City Rotary of Athens Eco Passport is a year-long initiative to encourage members to engage in eco-friendly activities and promote environmental awareness. Members earn points by completing various sustainable actions, such as recycling, composting, attending environmental talks, and participating in service projects. ECORotary@sosuin.org
Eco Passport Item # 18 – “Participate in the Bring One for the Chipper project with Rotary”
By Salome Alvarez, Southern Sustainability Institute, Athens, GA
Email: Blog@sosuin.org.
The holidays may be over, but there’s still one last gift you can give—back to the Earth! Every year, Athens participates in the Bring One for the Chipper program, a statewide effort to recycle Christmas trees into mulch, making sure your festive greenery finds new life. And what better way to get involved than joining Rotary in this eco-friendly tradition?
Rotary clubs in Athens, such as Classic City Rotary, partner with the Bring One for the Chipper program to help make our community greener by reducing waste and promoting recycling. By participating, you’re ensuring your Christmas tree doesn’t end up in a landfill and instead contributes to environmental sustainability in our city.
A Brief History of ‘Bring One for the Chipper’
Bring One for the Chipper is a long-running program that started in Georgia in 1991. The goal was simple: provide a responsible way for residents to dispose of their Christmas trees after the holiday season while helping the environment. Since its inception, millions of Christmas trees have been chipped into mulch, which is used for playgrounds, parks, and landscaping around the state. It’s an easy and impactful way for Georgians to contribute to environmental conservation.
Locally, this program has become an annual tradition in Athens, encouraging residents to recycle their trees and give back to the planet. Rotary clubs, which have a strong commitment to protecting the environment, have embraced this initiative, working alongside community partners to make it a success.
Why Participate in the ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ Project?
Recycling your Christmas tree is just the beginning—by participating with Rotary, you’re also joining a community effort that benefits the environment and helps keep Athens beautiful. Here’s why the Bring One for the Chipper project is so important:
- Keep Trees Out of Landfills: Discarded Christmas trees that aren’t recycled often end up in landfills, contributing to waste and taking up valuable space. By bringing your tree to be chipped, you’re ensuring that it’s put to good use instead of contributing to pollution.
- Support Sustainable Landscaping: The trees collected through this project are chipped into mulch, which is used in public parks, playgrounds, and landscapes around Athens. This mulch helps protect soil, reduce erosion, and conserve water—making it a valuable resource for the community. Your recycled tree directly supports these efforts.
- Contribute to a Greener Athens: Every tree chipped is a step toward a healthier environment. By recycling your Christmas tree, you’re helping Rotary and the city of Athens in their mission to promote sustainability and reduce waste. It’s a small action that makes a big difference for the community.
- Make It a Family Tradition: Bring One for the Chipper isn’t just about recycling—it’s a community tradition that you can share with family and friends. Participating in the project alongside Rotary is a fun and meaningful way to close out the holiday season, teaching younger generations about the importance of sustainability.
- Join a Community Effort: Rotary’s involvement in the Bring One for the Chipper project helps bring people together for a common cause. Whether you’re volunteering at a collection site or simply dropping off your tree, you’re part of a larger movement that’s making Athens greener. It’s a great way to connect with others who are passionate about the environment.
- Set an Example for Environmental Stewardship: When you recycle your tree and participate in this project with Rotary, you’re setting a powerful example for others in the community. Your actions can inspire friends, family, and neighbors to take part in recycling and other sustainability efforts, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Rotary’s Role in the ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ Project
Rotary clubs in Athens are dedicated to environmental sustainability, and the Bring One for the Chipper project is a perfect example of how Rotary helps promote green initiatives at the local level. By partnering with this statewide recycling program, Rotary ensures that more residents can easily participate in tree recycling while supporting local environmental efforts.
Rotary members often volunteer at tree collection sites, help with the chipping process, and raise awareness about the benefits of recycling. This hands-on approach reflects Rotary’s commitment to community service and environmental protection, making it easy for Athens residents to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable city.
How to Participate in ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ with Rotary in Athens
Ready to give your Christmas tree a second life and help the environment? Here’s how you can participate in the Bring One for the Chipper project with Rotary:
- Mark Your Calendar: The Bring One for the Chipper event typically takes place in early January, following the holiday season. Keep an eye on announcements from Rotary clubs and local organizations to find out the exact date and drop-off locations in Athens.
- Bring Your Tree to a Collection Site: Rotary often helps staff local drop-off sites around Athens, making it easy for you to bring your tree for recycling. Simply remove all decorations, lights, and stands from your tree, and bring it to one of the designated sites. It’s that simple!
- Volunteer with Rotary: If you’re interested in doing more than just recycling your tree, consider volunteering with Rotary at one of the collection sites. It’s a great way to meet other environmentally conscious residents, support a green cause, and have a direct impact on the success of the project.
- Spread the Word: Help amplify the impact by encouraging friends, family, and neighbors to participate in Bring One for the Chipper. The more trees that are recycled, the greater the environmental benefit, so be sure to share information about the project on social media or through community groups.
- Enjoy the Results: After the project, the recycled trees are turned into mulch, which is used to improve local parks, playgrounds, and green spaces around Athens. The next time you’re enjoying one of these outdoor areas, you can take pride in knowing that your tree played a role in keeping Athens beautiful!
The Importance of Recycling and Sustainability
The Bring One for the Chipper project is about more than just recycling Christmas trees—it’s a reminder of the importance of sustainability and responsible waste management. In a world facing increasing environmental challenges, small actions like recycling can have a significant impact.
By participating in this project with Rotary, you’re contributing to a local solution that helps reduce waste, protect natural resources, and promote greener practices in Athens. Plus, it’s a fun and easy way to stay involved in community service long after the holiday season has ended.
Make Athens Greener: Participate in ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ with Rotary Recycling your Christmas tree through the Bring One for the Chipper project is a simple yet impactful way to give back to the environment. By joining forces with Rotary, you can ensure that your tree is put to good use while supporting local sustainability efforts.
So, this year, instead of tossing your tree, bring it to a Rotary-supported collection site and be part of a community effort to keep Athens green. Whether you’re dropping off your tree or volunteering to help with the project, you’ll be making a lasting contribution to the environment—and helping Athens become a cleaner, more sustainable place for everyone.
Resources:
https://www.accgov.com/1382/Bring-One-for-the-Chipper
