A free mattress and book recycling point will be part of this year’s Earth Day Festival. The festival will return to the front lawn of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, on Saturday, May 2, from 10 am to 4 pm.

The new addition is being by the Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission, which is partnering with Park City Green, a Bridgeport-based not-for-profit business that specializes in mattress, box spring and book recycling, to provide this free service to the community. Interested residents will need to transport their mattresses, box springs and books to the middle school.

Mattress and book recycling is environmentally friendly and will reduce town costs that would otherwise go towards disposal.  For more information, contact the Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission at bryandoc34@yahoo.com.

The Eighth Annual Earth Day Festival will will highlight the town’s natural resources and help residents become greener. The day offers children’s activities, live music, food, and a birds of prey exhibit, silent auction, litter pick-up, and a vendor fair.

It is, according to organizers, the perfect opportunity for learning how to help the community.

Proceeds are for the continuing support of an annual green scholarship at Newtown High School.

Openings remain for those interested in participating as a vendor. Organizers anticipate more than 4,000 people browsing the Vendor Fair. Visit the website newtownearthday.org for all the details and to register online.

Donations of products or services are also sought for the silent auction.