While ornaments and lights were boxed away for another year, some Wantagh and Seaford residents gave their Christmas trees a second life by turning them into mulch.
Several locals joined neighbors from across the South Shore at Echo Park in West Hempstead on Jan. 10 for the Town of Hempstead’s sixth annual Mulchfest. The environmentally friendly event invites residents to drop off their natural Christmas trees to be shredded into nutrient-rich mulch.
“Mulchfest has become a cherished tradition in our town, and this year’s event was another great success,” said Town Supervisor John Ferretti. “Residents once again showed their commitment to environmental responsibility by repurposing their Christmas trees in a way that benefits both their own gardens and our community spaces.”
Town of Hempstead Parks and Recreation employees oversaw the chipping process and distributed fresh mulch to participants, who were encouraged to take it home for use in gardens or landscaping projects. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, and can improve plant health year-round.
In addition to the trees, the town also collected broken-down cardboard for recycling, further supporting its push toward sustainable waste practices. Any leftover mulch won’t go to waste. Officials said it will be used in Town of Hempstead parks for upcoming planting and landscaping, supporting the town’s long-term green goals.
Mulchfest promotes eco-friendly practices by preventing discarded trees from going to landfills and repurposing them in ways that benefit the environment, such as improving soil health, retaining moisture, and reducing weeds. Residents still looking to recycle their Christmas trees can do so from Jan. 12-17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the town’s extended drop-off location: Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve–the Town of Hempstead’s nature preserve, that boasts trails and panoramic views of the South Shore of Long Island, along with piers for fishing and a kayak launch.
“The Town of Hempstead remains committed to promoting greener, more sustainable programs for our residents,” Ferretti added. “Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s Mulchfest another outstanding community event.”
