Photo Flash: Record-Breaking Number of Christmas Trees Recycled at MulchFest 2014

This weekend, New Yorkers brought their Christmas trees to over 80 locations across the city for the 18th annual MulchFest. NYC Parks, partnering with the Department of Sanitation, GreeNYC, and numerous community organizations, provides New Yorkers with the opportunity to 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 a record-breaking 30,109 trees. Scroll down for photos!

"In addition to being a great way for New Yorkers to go green and recycle their Christmas trees, Mulchfest provides many benefits to the city's plant life," said NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh. "Mulch helps our city's trees and plants by deterring weeds, retaining moisture, and adding nutrients to the soil. Many thanks to the Department of Sanitation, GreeNYC, our community partners, and all New Yorkers who participated this weekend in keeping our city's trees and plants healthy!"

"The New York City Department of Sanitation takes great pride in helping to turn past Christmas trees into future woodchips that will be used to green ourparks, community gardens and other public spaces," said DSNY Commissioner John Doherty. "Everything that we can do to reduce, reuse and recycle our precious resources is a step in the right direction for a cleaner and greener New York City."

"I commend the City and the Parks Department for its work on the annual MulchFest, a very important environmental program in New York City. Thanks to MulchFest, many New Yorkers were able to responsibly dispose of their Christmas trees, which were chipped down to serve as a source of nourishment for gardens, trees and plant-life all over the city," said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12).

MulchFest 2014 brought more than 30,109 trees from around the city, eclipsing the previous record of 26,373, which was set last year. New Yorkers from Manhattan brought out the most trees of any borough with 11,801, followed closely by Brooklyn's 9,406. The Bronx gathered 3,928 trees, an increase of more than 25% from last year. Queens' residents brought out 3,797 trees, while 1,177 were mulched in Staten Island. This year, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island set new all-time records for trees mulched.

On Thursday, January 9, Parks First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh joined Sanitation Deputy Commissioner Ron Gonen, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, GrowNYC Director David Hurd, Executive Director of the Lower East Side Ecology Center Christine Datz-Romero, and members of the community in Tompkins Square Park to kick off MulchFest 2014. In clear, sunny weather, the group chipped the first trees of MulchFest 2014.

"Three cheers for Mulchfest -- a great way to 'chip in' and help Manhattan go green!" said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. "Mulching is a fun and easy way to recycle old trees and provide nourishment for new ones. It's a pleasure to join Parks in getting the word out."

"I am proud to support this year's MulchFest, which turns New Yorkers' Christmas trees into gifts that keep on giving to our trees and parks," said Senator Brad Hoylman (D,WFP - Manhattan). "Thank you to the Parks Department, the Department of Sanitation and GreeNYC for making this event happen year after year. Mulching is a great reuse of trees that would otherwise end up in landfills and helps to make our city cleaner and greener."

"MulchFest is a terrific annual opportunity for New Yorkers to recycle and help keep our parks green," said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh. "Kudos to theParks and Sanitation Departments and all of our residents who brought out their trees for this excellent tradition."

Photo Credits: Danny Avila / NYC Parks and Malcolm Pinckney / NYC Parks