AAA Recycles 4 M Batteries; Plants Trees

HAMILTON — AAA has recycled more than four million automotive batteries and continues to promote the environmental importance of recycling this essential automotive part that 100 million U.S. motorists replace each year. Approximately 97 percent of all the lead in spent automotive batteries is recyclable.
Through the automotive battery recycling efforts of the AAA Mobile Battery Service and the AAA Approved Auto Repair network, AAA has recycled nearly 90 million pounds of lead in addition to 12 million pounds of plastic.
The auto club first began its mobile battery recycling efforts in 1997, and this year, AAA anticipates it will replace and recycle an additional one million batteries via its roadside battery replacement service
. Regionally, AAA Mid-Atlantic recycles over 90,000 batteries a year on average throughout their five state territory, plus the District of Columbia.
“AAA Mid-Atlantic encourages all motorists to recycle their old automotive batteries. Many don’t realize that car batteries contain a high level of lead content. Lead-acid batteries can be highly toxic, so it’s imperative that they always be disposed of properly and not be left sitting around the house or discarded with the trash,” said Tracy E. Noble, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
In honor of Earth Day, AAA Mid-Atlantic planted trees in America’s National Forests, literally, on behalf of their members who take advantage of AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Mobile Battery Service program.
For every AAA member who calls AAA Mid-Atlantic to have a new car battery installed and the old battery recycled by the auto club, a tree will be planted in the national forest. The tree plantings are made possible through the Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit conservation and education organization.
“AAA understands the tremendous impact recycling car batteries has in terms of reducing toxic waste and unnecessary production of new materials. Sixty to 80 percent of car batteries are made up of hard rubber or plastic and recycling lessens the demand for original materials required for new products,” commented Averella.
“AAA Mid-Atlantic is pleased to not only do their part in recycling used car batteries to help protect the earth, but to help sustain the environment by contributing to the greening of America through the planting of trees,” he added.
As a benefit to members, AAA’s Mobile Battery Service travels to a member’s location to test their batteries, replace those that are spent and recycle the old battery for them.
AAA Members can call 866-AAA-AUTO (866-222-2886) for AAA’s Mobile Battery Service or visit www.aaamidatlantic .com/CarsDriving/MobileBattery.
AAA Mid-Atlantic blogs daily about this and many other local, regional and national transportation-related topics. Visit the Cars & Driving blog: aaa.com/community.
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