New Yorkers Celebrate 20th Annual Mulchfest Across Five Boroughs

This weekend, New Yorkers celebrated the 20th annual MulchFest by recycling their Christmas trees at nearly 80 locations across the five boroughs. A partnership between NYC Parks, Department of Sanitation, GreeNYC, and numerous community organizations, MulchFest provides New Yorkers with the opportunity to act sustainably and mulch their Christmas trees into wood chips that will be used to nourish parks and gardens throughout the city. Participants were also invited to take a free bag of mulch home. This year's MulchFest recycled over 30,000 trees citywide.

"There are countless ways we can care for our parks, and MulchFest is one of the simplest and most fun," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "With nearly 80 locations to drop off your tree this holiday season, we created plenty of mulch for our city's trees and plants. Thanks to the Department of Sanitation, GreeNYC, our sponsors, and of course, our generous community members who we count on to help keep our environment healthy and nutrient-rich."

On Thursday, January 7, Commissioner Silver joined DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, State Assembly Member Aravella Simotas, City Council Member Costa Constantinides, GreeNYC Director Roya Kazemi and mascot Birdie, members of the community and press in Astoria Park to kick things off.

"Many of the items we may no longer need or want can be given a new life through reuse and recycling, and Christmas trees are no exception," said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. "Our partnership with NYC Parks helps give these trees new life and helps make New York a cleaner and greener city. The chipped trees will nourish parks, gardens, and woodsy public areas year round. Thank you to all who participate in Christmas tree recycling through MulchFest or via our curbside collection."

"The holiday season offers us so many opportunities to give back," said Assembly Member Aravella Simotas. "Thanks to NYC Parks, DSNY and GreeNYC, MulchFest keeps the spirit going by offering a safe, environmentally friendly way to chip in and turn our Christmas trees into nourishment for trees and green spaces throughout the city."

Council Member Costa Constantinides said, "MulchFest provides an opportunity for everyday New Yorkers to help improve our environment. Recycled Christmas trees are mixed with leaves and turned into compost that's used in our city's parks and community gardens. These types of events, along with the regular curbside pickup of trees, help encourage sustainable behaviors among us all. It will take the cooperation of all New Yorkers to make our city greener and more sustainable. I commend NYC Parks, Sanitation Department, and Astoria Park Alliance for their leadership on this important issue."

"Through MulchFest, NYC Parks, the Department of Sanitation and our community partners have created an easy and fun way for New Yorkers to make a difference by recycling and reusing tens of thousands of trees as mulch in our parks across the city," said Roya Kazemi, Director of GreeNYC. "This goes a long way in helping us to reduce waste and to reach the important goals set forth in the Mayor's OneNYC plan."

This year, Parks' stewardship teams led volunteer clean-up and tree care workshops at a handful of sites in each borough on Saturday. MulchFest 2016 is sponsored by Whole Foods Market New York City.