NYC Parks declared Mulchfest 2023 a smashing success, with 58,309 trees collected for tree-cycling during this year’s event, setting a new Parks record – 50,934 were recycled during Mulchfest 2021 – doubling the average collection in years past. Mulchfest, part of New York City’s holiday tradition, encourages New Yorkers to make greening a family activity – turning holiday trees into mulch that is repurposed by the Agency in parks and for gardening citywide.
“I’m thrilled to announce that New Yorkers have gone above and beyond in their tree-cycling efforts this year and set a new Mulchfest record,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Thank you to everyone who made this event happen and contributed to our city’s sustainability efforts. Here’s to breaking the record again at Mulchfest 2024!”
Mulchfest 2023 ran from December 26, 2022, through January 8, with 73 total drop-off sites – 34 being chipping sites – across the five boroughs, including city parks and GreenThumb gardens.
For more than 20 years, Parks has collected and mulched trees to help plant beds and community gardens around the city grow. Mulch maintains the health of trees and plants citywide by deterring weeds, retaining moisture, preventing compaction, adding nutrients to the soil, and keeping roots warm. Prior, on average Parks has mulched between 25,000 and 30,000 on average annually.
