FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 376-03 December 29, 2003 MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES MULCHFEST 2004 Environment-Friendly Tree Recycling Program to Take Place In All Five Boroughs Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and Department of Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty today announced the dates for the City’s “MulchFest” program, which converts holiday trees into wood chips. The Mayor encouraged New Yorkers to recycle their holiday trees by participating in the eighth annual MulchFest on Saturday, January 3 and Saturday, January 10 in designated parks throughout the five boroughs. This year, MulchFest has expanded the number of recycling sites from 40 to 69 and will have wood-chippers at 30 sites. At many of the tree drop-off locations, where chippers will be on hand, the public is encouraged to take home mulch for their own gardens and plants. The Department of Sanitation will also be collecting trees from the curbside and transporting to recycling sites this year from Monday, January 5th through Saturday, January 10th. Last year, Parks & Recreation recycled over 10,400 trees during MulchFest. The announcement was made today at Owl’s Head Park in Brooklyn. “On the next two Saturdays, New Yorkers will be able to start the New Year in an environmentally-friendly fashion, by taking their holiday trees and wreaths to designated parks to have them recycled,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “This annual tradition provides a way for our holiday trees to bring new life to plants and trees throughout the City and divert them from the waste stream. New Yorkers will be able to take their trees to the nearest participating park, and leave with some woodchips and the knowledge that they helped make our city greener and more beautiful.” “All New Yorkers can chip in and help New York City this holiday season by recycling their trees,” said Commissioner Benepe. “MulchFest is a great tradition that allows the public to do something good for the environment. Winter is a wonderful time to spend in our parks, and MulchFest 2004 provides just one more reason to come out and stay for some fun.” Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty said, “The Department of Sanitation is pleased to be partnering with Parks and Recreation's annual MulchFest event. Sanitation will be collecting discarded Christmas trees that are free of ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands from curbside to be recycled into mulch to be distributed in parks and community gardens around the City. Each holiday season, New Yorkers pitch in and place out for collection an estimated 100,000 trees. This year with the combined efforts of Parks & Recreation and Sanitation we are looking forward to a successful MulchFest.” Tree recycling creates woodchip mulch that moderates soil temperatures, helps retain moisture, prevents compaction and deters weed growth, while slowly adding nutrients to the soil. Wood chips may be used to line street tree pits and flowerbeds in parks. The chips insulate the soil around the base of the tree, reduce soil compaction, increase moisture, and prevent salt-shock. Wood chips may also be used in homes and gardens to enrich soil and control weeds. Trees must be dropped off at designated MulchFest locations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 3 and Saturday, January 10. All lights, ornaments, and decorations must be removed from the trees prior to drop-off. Trees should not be placed in plastic bags. New Yorkers are also encouraged to take neighbors’ trees to designated sites, to team up with others to collect and recycle as many trees as possible, and to bring along bags for wood chips available at specified sites, which make great liners for street tree pits and home or community gardens. The Department of Sanitation will also be collecting trees from the curbside and transporting them to MulchFest sites from Monday, January 5th through Saturday, January 10th. The Department of Parks & Recreation is working with several other partners this year as well, including Lewis Tree Service, Bronx River Alliance, Lower East Side Ecology Center, Cobble Hill Tree Trust, Prospect Park Alliance, and the Central Park Conservancy to bring MulchFest 2004 to New Yorkers. To find the nearest MulchFest location, please log on to www.nyc.gov or call 311. MULCHFEST 2004 SITES (* wood-chippers on-site; chips available to participants)
MEDIA CONTACT: Edward Skyler/ Robert Lawson (212) 788-2958 GENERAL CONTACT: Megan Sheekey (Parks & Recreation) (212) 360-1311 Vito Turso (Sanitation) (646) 885-5020 |
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