Everyday is Earth Day with These Simple Tips

Today is Earth Day, a time when we reflect on our environment and how to preserve and protect it.  And while today may be a special holiday for Mother Earth, you can be kind to the environment everyday with these five simple tips:

• Recycle hazardous materials:  You probably have several items lying around your garage or basement that are classified as hazardous. Items like car batteries, oil-based paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, antifreeze, and ammonia-based cleaners pose a threat to the environment if they’re thrown away in the regular trash pickup. Hazardous materials should be properly recycled and thankfully Bucks County has a number of hazardous material recycling events. If you have any of these types of products, then recycle them Saturday, May 7 at the Lower Makefield Corporate Center, 770 Township Line Road, Yardley. The recycling event takes place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a full list of hazardous materials that can be recycled there, click here.

• Shop Local: Instead of trekking to the mall or superstore, consider walking to your local hardware store, gift shop, or restaurant. In Newtown, we are lucky enough to have a thriving downtown with numerous shops and eateries. This weekend, in honor of Earth Day, ditch the car and instead walk downtown for a bite to eat, a browse in the bookstore, or an ice cream cone.

• Indulge in Farm Fresh: While we’re blessed with a charming downtown in Newtown, we are also lucky to have many beautiful farms in the township that produce wholesome, fresh food. One of the best things you can do for the Earth right around you is to support these local farms and preserve the important agricultural land. Many local farms use organic practices, which means they don’t fertilize their crops. Supporting local farms helps the environment two-fold: first, it protects valuable open space and land in your immediate neighborhood, and second, your carbon footprint will be reduced because less of the food you’re eating is being shipped from far away. Oh, and did we mention the food tastes better. If you're interested in learning more about how you can support local farms, visit www.buckscountyfoodshedalliance.org.

• Turn off the Car: When you’re parked, always turn off the car. The exhaust from idling buses and cars pollutes the air and wastes fuel, not to mention your money through burned gas.

• Conserve water: With all of the rain we’ve had lately, it may seem like there’s a never-ending supply of clean water. But water is a precious natural resource that should be conserved. When doing laundry or dishes, make sure you have a full load before starting the machine. Fix your leaky faucets and opt for a shower instead of a bath, which can save as many as 50 gallons each time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.