The Alliance for Downtown New York is sponsoring Mulch Mania 2009 to assist Lower Manhattan residents with efforts to recycle their holiday trees for free in an environmentally safe manner. The Parks Department and NYC Department of Sanitation are co-sponsoring this event as well.

Mulch Mania 2009 will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2009, at the south end of Bowling Green Park. Lower Manhattan residents can turn their holiday tree into environmentally friendly mulch, and take some home to use in flower pots or a garden. Complimentary refreshments will be served at the event.

To make it even easier, Downtown Connection shuttle buses will transport people and their tree to the event, which is part of the its "Going Green Downtown" initiative. To download a Downtown Connection Bus route map to the event, click here.

"The Downtown Alliance launched its 'Going Green Downtown' program to help make Lower Manhattan a greener, safer place to live, work and play," said Elizabeth Berger, president of the Downtown Alliance. Mulch Mania 2009 makes it easy for Downtown residents to dispose of their holiday trees. What a great, fun way for Lower Manhattan residents to recycle their holiday tree, have a snack and bring home some mulch!"