Christmas trees may be brought in for recycling

MANALAPAN - Mulchfest. That is a word and a seasonal custom that the Manalapan Environmental Committee hopes will catch on, according to committee member Herbert Lazar.

Lazar said the aim of Mulchfest is to get residents to take their Christmas trees and uncollected leaves to the Manalapan public works yard on Route 522, behind the Manalapan Senior Center.

"We are encouraging people throughout the month of January to bring their trees to the Department of Public Works (DPW) recycling center to be mulched, rather than putting them out for garbage," Lazar said.

Lazar said information about Mulchfest will be posted on Manalapan's Internet Web site. He said the goal of the initiative is to use the mulch that is generated by the trees and leaves to enrich municipal parks and property.

However, he said, depending on the response from residents who end up bringing their trees and leaves and the amount of mulch generated, the use of the mulch may be extended to residents to take for use on their own property.

Lazar said residents who bring leaves to the DPW yard must bring the leaves in the brown, biodegradable recycling bags that are available for purchase at the DPW yard and at area stores.

Residents may bring Christmas trees and leaves to the DPW yard between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.