AAA Arizona Rounds Up Old Car Batteries for Recycling
Phoenix, Ariz.,
April 18, 2008 – Beginning today -- in support of Earth Day being Tuesday, April 22nd -- AAA Arizona kicks off its 8th annual, Great Battery Roundup. AAA is asking motorists to bring old car batteries that might be lying around their backyard or garage to a participating Approved Auto Repair facility where they will be recycled at no charge to the consumer. For every battery “rounded up” between April 18 and 25, AAA Arizona will donate $4.00 to Tucson Clean and Beautiful and Keep Phoenix Beautiful, depending on which city the battery is donated in.
“Automotive batteries contain over 25 pounds of lead, plastic and sulfuric acid. These elements can be destructive if released into the environment,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs manager for AAA Arizona. “When a battery is recycled, nearly 99% of its components can be reused to make a new battery.”
When a battery is turned in to an Approved Auto Repair facility, here is what happens to the contents:
- At least 97 percent of the lead in an automotive battery can be reclaimed and used to manufacture a new battery. The lead is recycled and reused indefinitely.
- The sulfuric acid can be recycled and used in new batteries; it can be neutralized, purified and tested before being released as clean water; or it can be converted to sodium sulfate, a product used in fertilizer, dyes and other products.
- The plastic in auto batteries is recycled like any other plastic. In fact, most battery cases are black because the cases have already been made from recycled plastic. (When various colors are melted together, they become black.)
Of the more than 100 million automotive batteries sold in the U.S. each year, an estimated five million are not recycled. The Great Battery Roundup has netted a combined total of more than two million batteries collected and recycled by AAA/CAA clubs.
“It is important to keep these batteries out of the landfills, just like it is important to keep toner cartridges, paper, and electronics out. These products take years to break down, and often many of their components can be re-used and recycled, said Tom Waldeck, executive director of Keep Phoenix Beautiful. “Keep Phoenix Beautiful is committed to helping AAA Arizona and their efforts to better our environment.”
“Tucson Clean & Beautiful is proud to continue partnering with AAA Arizona for this eighth year of the Great Battery Roundup. The Tucson metropolitan community has a strong history of supporting hands-on involvement in recycling and many other environmental improvement efforts,” said B.J. Cordova, director of programs for Tucson Clean & Beautiful. “We continue encouraging this ethic to improve our environment and quality of life, to benefit the community for today and for many years to come!”
Used batteries often turn up in garages, backyards, and storage sheds where they create environmental and safety hazards. Batteries that sit in a yard can contaminate soil and ground water, explode in a fire or become a source of lead poisoning to humans and animals. Motorists interested in participating can click here or visit www.aaaaz.com/auto/index.htm and click on the AAA Approved Auto Repair button to find a list of the facilities nearest them.
For other recycling and reuse programs and options in the Tucson area, please call the Tucson Clean & Beautiful recycling information line at (520) 791-5000 or visit www.tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org/rd.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. |
