Say Goodbye to Holiday Trees at Brooklyn’s Mulchfest 2025

New York City is ushering in the New Year with an environmentally friendly initiative known as Mulchfest 2025, a program dedicated to recycling Christmas trees. From December 26, 2025, to January 11, 2026, residents can drop off their live Christmas trees at one of 23 designated locations throughout Brooklyn. This effort not only helps in disposing of the trees sustainably but also contributes to the creation of nutrient-rich mulch for city parks and gardens.

During the holiday season, thousands of live Christmas trees were sold across Brooklyn, and as the festivities conclude, Mulchfest provides a simple and eco-conscious way to part with those trees. The trees collected will be chipped into mulch, which serves multiple purposes: it prevents weeds, reduces soil compaction, retains moisture, and protects plant roots from freezing winter temperatures. According to the New York City Parks Department, this process is a significant step in making tree disposal more sustainable.

Last year, over 52,000 trees were recycled during Mulchfest, and organizers are optimistic about exceeding that number this year. The final weekend of the event, January 10 and 11, is designated as “Chipping Weekend.” On this weekend, participants can witness their trees being transformed into mulch and even take home a bag for their own gardening needs.

For those looking to get involved, organizations like the Prospect Park Alliance and the Cobble Hill Association are seeking volunteers to assist during Chipping Weekend. The program is an excellent opportunity not only for tree disposal but also for community engagement.

Before dropping off a tree, it is essential to ensure that all decorations, lights, and netting have been removed. For residents who may not be able to participate in Mulchfest, the New York City Department of Sanitation offers curbside pickup of trees and wreaths as part of their regular composting service. In this case, residents should set their greenery out on the curb, without any bags, on their designated compost or recycling collection day.

For artificial trees that have reached the end of their life, dismantling them is crucial. The metal components can be recycled with regular materials, while the remainder of the tree should be disposed of in standard trash.

Mulchfest drop-off locations in Brooklyn from December 26 to January 11 include:

– Amazon Garden, 261 Columbia St., Red Hook
– Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 3, Dumbo
– Brower Park, Brooklyn Avenue and Prospect Place, Crown Heights
– Prospect Park locations at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Park Circle and Parkside Avenue, and Prospect Park West and 3rd Street
– More locations throughout Brooklyn, totaling 23.

Chipping Weekend sites, open from 10:00 to 14:00 on January 10 and 11, include:

– Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 3, Dumbo
– Cobble Hill Park, Clinton Street and Verandah Place
– Fort Greene Park, Washington Park and Myrtle Avenue
– Other select locations.

Mulchfest aims to create a greener New York City while fostering community spirit. Whether participating by dropping off a tree or volunteering, residents have a chance to contribute positively to their environment and local parks.