As the festive season comes to a close in New York City, the Department of Sanitation advises residents to recycle their Christmas trees responsibly instead of discarding them. With the citywide expansion of curbside composting collection, there is now more flexibility in when to dispose of your tree. “Are you a family that takes the tree down on Christmas? Do you hold out for all 12 days? Rather wait until May? It’s all OK,” stated the department, in a statement obtained by Gothamist. However, trees need to be stripped of all trinkets and decor, ready for curbside compost collection alongside regular recycling.
Christmas trees will be processed along with the city's food and plant scraps to create renewable energy. For those with artificial trees, metal stands and trunks should be separated for recycling, while the tree itself can be disposed of with regular trash. Mulchfest provides an option for those who wish to have their tree turned into mulch for the city's green spaces. According to CBS News New York, this year's event spans from today through Jan. 12, with "Chipping Weekend" happening on the last two days, offering a chance for New Yorkers to take home a "free back of mulch."
The NYC Parks Department hosts Mulchfest at multiple locations across all five boroughs, making it convenient for participants. Trees can be dropped off at designated parks during operating hours, and on Chipping Weekend, mulch is produced on-site, with attendees able to take some home. Last year, more than 46,000 trees were recycled through the program, contributing to the city's environmental efforts.
For those interested in finding their nearest Mulchfest location, a comprehensive list of both chipping and drop-off sites is provided by CBS News New York. Each borough features a range of parks, allowing residents to contribute to the city's efforts to enrich its soils and support sustainability. Chipping sites, such as Staten Island's Clove Lakes Park, Brooklyn's Prospect Park, and Manhattan's Central Park, are available for recycling post-Christmas trees, helping to repurpose them beyond the holiday season.
Interested residents can find more detailed information on how to partake in Christmas tree recycling through the sanitation department’s website or by directly calling 311.
