Lee County offers Christmas tree recycling option

LEESBURG — Officials at the Lee County Landfill want to recycle Christmas trees so they can be used as mulch for wildlife habitat. Once the holiday celebration ends and citizens are ready to discard their trees, Lee officials are asking them to “bring one for the chipper.”

Lee County Landfill attendant Susan Howell said the tree recycling program makes it easy for residents to discard their trees and help preserve the environment at the same time.

“We are not really set up for businesses to bring in their trees — they usually take multiple trees or extra large trees to the landfill in Dougherty County. We do, however, encourage our residents to bring out their trees,” Howell said.

There will be no cost to those who wish to dispose of their trees.

Drop-off locations are at Salt Lick Sausage Co., behind the store at 1295 U.S. Highway 82, through Jan. 8. Residents will also be able to bring their trees through the end of January to the Lee County Landfill at 759 Georgia Highway 32 East between Monday and Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or to the Lee County Fire Departments at 1289 Grave Springs Road at Philema Road and at 934 U.S. Highway 19 North just past the Publix — also through the end of January.

Trees must be undecorated, and tree stands must be removed.

“It is a very easy process,” Howell said. “It is convenient and free. You just drive up and drop off your tree.”

Howell said workers will transport trees to the landfill to be ground up into mulch or, in some cases, workers may bring the grinding machine to the location and turn the old trees into mulch.

“The mulch will then become available free to the public, you just need to come back out to the landfill with a shovel and scoop up as much as you need,” Howell said.

Howell said that fishermen also are encouraged to come to any of the drop-off locations, where they can pick up trees to take to their favorite fishing spots.

For more information, call the Lee County Landfill at (229) 759-6009.