Mulching in Lower Manhattan

It was a brisk, winter’s day, but that didn’t deter hundreds of Lower Manhattanites from taking part in the Downtown Alliance’s annual MulchFest in Bowling Green Park this past weekend.

Thanks to the Chip Trip – the Downtown Alliance’s special route within its Downtown Connection free bus service that day – hundreds of discarded Christmas trees made their way to Bowling Green.

The New York City Departments of Sanitation and Parks and Recreation were on hand, with a chipper and with mascots to greet kids. And, making this even more special was an Electronic Waste Recycling event, held by the Lower East Side Ecology Center and Tekserve. Con Edison, Crumbs and Whole Foods also chipped in.

Residents and retailers alike – and even a busload of students – descended on Lower Manhattan top drop off used televisions, radios, cell phones, laptops, keyboards, and cables.

Of course, given the low temps, the Downtown Alliance made sure everyone could get a free cup of hot cocoa and apple cider and snacks. And, as the trees were turned into mulch, the Downtown Alliance handed out quite a few bags to folks to take home to use in their gardens or houseplants.

You can watch video of the event here. Or, check out all of the photos of the day here.