Community partnership keeps unsold trees from landfill

The Green Sanctuary Team at Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva has partnered with the Geneva Park District to provide local retailers an alternative to placing unsold Christmas trees in dumpsters and, ultimately, the landfill.

The purpose of the project, dubbed "Tree-Cycle," is twofold. The main objective is to keep trees out of landfills. The secondary benefit is the resulting mulch can be used throughout the Geneva parks.

Carl Gorra, superintendent of Parks and Properties at the Geneva Park District, brings this idea to Geneva from his previous municipality, where it was gratefully received. The idea just needed planning and coordinating to come together.

This is where the Green Sanctuary Team comes in.

Local tree retailers will be visited/contacted by volunteers of the team. In partnership with the Geneva Park District, they will offer to take unsold trees and trimmings.

When sales are complete, the park district will go to the retailer's site and chip them up.

"It is great for our trees that like a bit of an acidic soil, like our younger oaks throughout the parks," Gorra said. "Smells wonderful, needless to say!"

Retailers are welcome to contact the Green Sanctuary Team to participate in this endeavor. Their hope is to turn this into an annual event.

If your business would like to take advantage of this free service, contact greensanctuary@uusg.org.

Note: Geneva residents have tree pickup through the city waste hauler Lakeshore Recycling Systems. This endeavor is strictly retail.

The mission of the Geneva Park District is to provide recreational programs, facilities, and open space that will enhance the quality of life for residents of all age groups and abilities. The park district minimizes its impact on the environment by implementing best practices and by promoting environmental education, leading to a lifelong commitment to conservation. Visit www.genevaparks.org or call (630) 232-4542.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, established in 1842 and the oldest church in Geneva, is a diverse, welcoming community that endeavors to make its covenant a living reality. It provides religious education and opportunities for spiritual growth. For more information, visit www.uusg.org.