McLean Trees Foundation Encourages Recycling Bins Use

The McLean Trees Foundation is encouraging McLean residents to use its two red recycling bins located in front of Cooper Middle School on the corner of Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike.

Proceeds from recycling magazines and newspapers are used by the foundation to purchase, plant and maintain trees in McLean. The bins are always open.

“Trees provide many environmental, aesthetic, social, and economic benefits to our community,” said Joyce Harris, chairwoman of the McLean Trees Foundation, in a news release. “When you bring your newspapers, magazines, telephone books, and other recyclable paper to our bins, you are actively helping to maintain, preserve, and increase the tree canopy here in McLean. Our goal is to provide McLean with more tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets. Donations and proceeds from our recycling bins are our only stream of revenue.”

McLean resident Bobbie Jackson, who regularly uses the bins, said in a statement: “It’s such a simple act to bring your newspapers and magazines to the recycling bins and it results in more trees for our community to enjoy and appreciate. I like to think of the trees planted throughout McLean as my trees, as I have contributed in some small way to their existence. Can you imagine what McLean would look like without any trees?”

“We have a county collection for our trash and recyclables, but we always bring our newspapers to MTF’s recycling bins to help support the planting of more trees in McLean”, said Sue King, treasurer and board member for the foundation, in a statement. “We are losing trees to development faster than we are able to plant trees.”

In partnership with local and county officials, the foundation engages public and private property owners to plant and maintain trees. Throughout the year, it identifies tree-planting projects in McLean and recruits volunteers of all ages to participate in projects that are held in the spring and fall. The foundation’s projects can be seen throughout McLean on private and public property in parks, school grounds, government sites, commercial corridors, traffic islands and sidewalk rights-of-way.

Businesses, civic groups, homeowner associations, churches, schools, Scouts and other volunteer organizations are encouraged to participate. Volunteers may work independently or with a group. No experience in planting or maintaining trees is necessary.

“A single tree has the power to change a landscape and to change lives,” said Harris in a statement. “Trees are the oldest living organisms on earth, but they sometimes need our help to thrive. MTF provides a way for McLean residents and businesses to donate services, time, labor, and money to support restoration and enhancement of our urban forest here in McLean.”

The McLean Trees Foundation was founded more than 30 years ago as a semi-autonomous committee of the McLean Citizens Association before incorporating in 2004 as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. The foundation’s mission is to preserve, plant and maintain trees in McLean; to educate the public on the value of trees; and to assist the public in taking an active role in caring for trees in McLean.

Tax-deductible donations, suggestions for projects and offers for volunteer assistance can be addressed to The McLean Trees Foundation, PO Box 113, McLean, VA, 22101 or by contacting Joyce Harris at McLeanTrees@verizon.net.