Keep Dawson County Beautiful has expanded efforts this holiday season to give Dawson County residents more opportunities to recycle their live Christmas trees. 

Starting Saturday, residents can bring their live Christmas trees to the transfer station on Burt Creek Road for the annual Bring One for the Chipper recycling event.

Trees can be dropped off during regular business hours through Jan. 9.

Volunteers will also be at the Home Depot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 9 to collect trees.

All decorations and lights must be removed before taking the trees to either location.

Last year, Keep Dawson County Beautiful and partner Dawsonville Home Depot, recycled more than 350 live trees to create over a ton of mulch. 

The mulch was used for area playgrounds, public beautification projects, wildlife habitat and homeowner landscaping projects, according to Keep Dawson County Beautiful Director Cathy Brooks.

“This year, Dawson County residents may pick up free Christmas tree mulch for their own projects from the transfer station beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12, while supply lasts,” Brooks said.

Since 1991, Bring One for the Chipper has collected more than 5 million trees statewide.