By Michelle Newell, CMC Green Certification Manager
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The latest business to become Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certified is the Tree of Life Center.
Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, City of Clarksville Chief of Staff Bill Harpel, standing in for Mayor McMillan, and Chamber of Commerce Director Melinda Shepard were at the Green Ribbon Cutting to congratulate the owner and employees for their work.
Mayor Durrett commented, “Thank you for not only providing a place where the community can come for healthy food but for also doing it in a manner that is good for our environment.”
Harpel followed by congratulating owner Yvonne Chamberlain and asking what had been done at Tree of Life Center to earn Green Certification.
Chamberlain responded, “For me this is a way of life. When we gutted the bottom of the building, I had my sons pull copper, wood, nails etc. and we took everything to be recycled or reused in some way. The employees also embrace the conservation mentality. They are onboard and several of them voluntarily take items like glass and cans to the convenience centers rather than putting them in the trash.”
“My goal is to offer the residents of our community an alternative to driving to Nashville for organic and other healthy choices,” she added.
Tree of Life Center also recycles cardboard, plastic and paper with Bi-County Solid Waste Management. Some of the food is donated to local hunger relief organizations like Loaves and Fishes and Manna Café. They also compost for chickens owned by one of the employees. Energy efficiency and using reclaimed materials were also part of the remodeling.
The Tree of Life Center is located at 30 Crossland Ave. For more information, visit their Facebook page and website.
To learn how your business can participate in the Green Certification Program, contact Michelle Newell at manewell@mcgtn.net.