Wake Tech is pushing green with the help of JouleBug, an app that gives you suggestions on how to conserve energy.

Students, faculty and staff on all Wake's campuses can use the app to earn points and badges for doing such things as recoiling, installing energy-efficient bulbs, carpooling or taking public transportation. The school plans to use the app to reward sustainable behavior through student competitions.

JouleBug is the brainchild of Grant Williard, a software executive, who worked with computer scientists at NC State and a sustainability engineer to develop and launch it last year.

The app can be downloaded at www.joulebug.com/

Ride Raleigh's buses for free, trade in your dish liquid or laundry detergent for an eco-friendly version, pick up a packet of flower seeds and learn how to turn your old T-shirts into high fashion.

It's all free in celebration of Earth Day.

Here's a roundup of just some of the Earth Day freebies available in the Triangle.

EVOS restaurants are serving up free organic milkshakes for anyone who stops in on Earth Day, April 22.

The restaurant, which serves natural and organic foods in a casual setting, has one location in the Triangle at 1800 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill.

The Disney Store is offering a freebie to celebrate Earth Day.

Trade in five plastic grocery bags for a Disney-themed reusable tote on Monday, April 22.

You'll have your choice of a bag from the movie "Cars 2" or the movie "Brave," according to the Disney Store blog, The Buzz.

In the Triangle, head to the store at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh.

I've crossed yet another item permanently off my grocery list.

No more spray starch for me.

But that doesn't mean the family will be walking around in wrinkled clothes.

I've started making my own spray starch, adding it to my arsenal of DIY remakes, saving a little money and treading just a little easier on the environment.

Pass the word to friends and family members: National Park Week is coming up. And that means free entry to all of our national parks.

While the majority of national parks are free to visitors 365 days a year, more than 100 parks with entry fees will be waiving them April 22 through April 26.

Pottery Barn Kids stores will be giving away seed packets to children Saturday, April 20, through Monday, April 22.

Stop in and pick up a packet for free in celebration of Earth Day. No purchase is required.

In the Triangle, Pottery Barn Kids is at Streets at Southpoint in Durham.

Target stores nationwide will be giving away 1.5 million reusable shopping bags this Sunday in honor of Earth Day.

Starting at 10 a.m., Target employees will be handing out the free bags and coupon booklets for sustainable products.

Here's a fun and frugal way to celebrate Earth Day -- send friends and family members cards that sprout into pots full of wildflowers.

The "growable" cards are free -- just add potting soil and water.

The online printing company Day2DayPrinting.com is offering a free set of four Earth Day cards through April 22 or while supplies last.

Coming up this Saturday, Whole Foods stores in the Triangle will be handing out free eco-friendly cleaners in exchange for a conventional version from your cleaning cupboard.

In honor of Earth Day, the stores will be replacing your laundry detergent, dish liquid or all-purpose cleaner with a natural version from the GreenShield Organic line of products.

Your bottle can be new or nearly empty so if you've been contemplating a switch to green cleaning, this swap is a great way to try an organic product with no out-of-pocket expense.

The exchange runs from: