As part of a statewide effort to reuse Christmas trees, Coweta County is inviting area residents to drop off their trees Jan. 9 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Coweta County Fairground site on Temple Avenue in Newnan. In appreciation of their recycling efforts, participants who bring their Christmas tree on that day will receive a free tree seedling, while supplies last.

This annual event has collected more than two million trees statewide during its previous eight years, and has given away more than 800,000 seedlings.

The "Bring One for the Chipper" program also assists local governments with compliance of the yard waste ban implemented in Sept., 1996. The regulation prohibits the disposal of yard waste in state-of-the-art landfills.

"This annual event diverts more than 300,000 Christmas trees from landfills throughout the state and reinforces the steps we need to take to keep all yard waste from being disposed in landfills and taking up valuable space," said Keep Georgia Beautiful's David Smith. "The participation rate continues to rise year after year and the benefits are becoming more and more apparent."

Trees are a reusable resource with many other uses available besides disposal. Trees collected this season will be chipped into mulch.

"Coweta County continues to make great strides in preserving the environment, and this event is one way we can bring attention to environmental issues while providing a valuable service to the community," said Coweta County environmental director Eva Wagner. "This event allows you to give a small gift back to nature and round out your holiday traditions."

To find out more about Coweta County's recycling efforts, phone Environmental Management at 770-254-3785.