AAA Recycles 4 Million Auto Batteries, 90 Million Pounds of Lead

With Earth Day just a week away, this is pretty nice news! Here's the AAA press release:

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. This year, the nation’s largest motor club anticipates it will replace and recycle an additional one million batteries via its roadside battery replacement service.

“AAA encourages all motorists to recycle their old automotive batteries. Many don’t realize that batteries are made of hazardous materials, and it’s imperative that they not be left sitting around the house or discarded with trash,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA Automotive, vice president.

Automotive batteries have three major components: lead, acid and plastic. Lead can be recycled and reused indefinitely in the production of new batteries. Sulfuric acid can be repurposed in three different ways. In addition to being reused for 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 battery cases also can be recycled for new batteries.

As a benefit to members, AAA’s Mobile Battery Service goes to a member’s location to test their batteries, replace those that are spent and recycle the old battery for them.

AAA-branded automotive batteries are produced by East Penn Manufacturing, which has a long-standing history of environmental protection and dedication to sustainability practices. East Penn not only completely recycles all three major battery components, but also was the first in the industry to develop a method for acid reclamation.

“When properly recycled, nearly every part of an automotive battery can be reused. AAA is proud to work with one of the nation’s leaders in battery recycling to repurpose these components for use in the production of AAA-branded automotive batteries,” said Doney.

Consumers can contact their local AAA club or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for information on where they can drop off a battery for recycling in their area. To find a nearby Approved Auto Repair facility, visit AAA.com/Repair.

AAA first began its mobile battery recycling efforts in 1997, and many AAA clubs have sponsored battery collections called the AAA Great Battery Roundup® to help raise awareness about battery recycling.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.