Free Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Frugal Family gives you five free ways to conserve energy, reduce and recycle and save a buck while you’re at it.  Using these options, everyone can play a part in celebrating Earth Day (April 22) and become better stewards of our stuff for free.

1. Donate Children’s Books at Woods Church

Drop off gently used or new children’s books (any ages) at , or contact Janet Williams at janwilliams48@yahoo.com.  They are accepting books from now until Easter to help Native American children at the Baltimore Dakota Learning Camps in South Dakota.

Good through:  April 24, 2011

2. Use the Books for Charity Drop Box at Safeway

The is a good bet for other fiction or nonfiction reading in good condition but they do not accept worn books or textbooks.

For all other books, including textbooks, encyclopedias, heavy or outdated volumes, bring them to the Books for Charity drop box at on Benfield Road.  There is also another dropbox at the in Arnold.  Usable books will be redistributed where there is a need and all others will be recycled into pulp. 

3. Recycle Old Electronics and Batteries

It used to be inconvenient to get rid of old electronics and batteries.  Now, Anne Arundel County Recycling Convenience Centers accept many electronics and batteries during service hours. 

Start a small box for collecting all dead batteries at home.  When the box is full, bring it and any other old computer parts, fax machine, scanners, electronic appliances and equipment that may be gathering dust at home and recycle it at the Anne Arundel County Convenience Centers in Millersville or Glen Burnie.

4. Free Friday Family Flea Market at 'Re-Sal' Thrift Store

The Restorations and Salvations (“ReSal”) Thrift Store is having their monthly Free Friday Family Flea Market event on Friday, April 15.

Come shop for free, complete with musical entertainment, speakers and hot dogs on the grill.  If you have items to donate, drop them by the store during the week before the Flea Market. 

When: April 15, 2011

5. Check Tire Pressure for Free at Wawa and BJ’s

With the changing weather and high gas prices, checking your tire pressure is an easy way to save gas, extend the life of your tires, reduce pollution and save money.  There are two places where you can get free air for those low tires, the in Pasadena and the Wawa in Millersville. 

The BJ’s pump boasts a feature that allows the driver to set the desired tire pressure.  The pump will inflate your tire and stop automatically when it reaches that setting.  While the Wawa air pump is not as fancy, it does have a gauge to check tire pressure and is available for no charge.