AAA has recycled more than four million automotive batteries and continues to promote the environmental importance of recycling this essential automotive part. Improperly stored or disposed car batteries create health, fire and safety hazards for humans, animals and the environment. To provide a simple solution, AAA encourages motorists to recycle their used batteries during its Great Battery Roundup® from April 22-28 at their local AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Center, and in recognition of their effort a tree will be planted in a national forest.
AAA has recycled millions of pounds of lead and plastic through the automotive battery recycling efforts of the AAA Mobile Battery Service and the AAA Approved Auto Repair network and AAA owned repair facilities. The auto club first began its mobile battery recycling efforts in 1997, and this year, AAA anticipates it will replace and recycle an additional two million batteries via its roadside battery replacement service. Regionally, AAA Mid-Atlantic recycles over 100,000 batteries a year on average throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and 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 garage or discarded with household trash,” said Jenny M. Robinson, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
In honor of Earth Day, April 22, AAA Mid-Atlantic will be planting trees in America’s National Forests, literally, on behalf of their members who take advantage of AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Battery Service. For every AAA member who uses AAA’s Battery Program 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. Upon the completion of this year’s program, AAA Mid-Atlantic will have planted over 1,000 trees in the last three years. 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 eighty percent of car batteries are made up of hard rubber or plastic. Recycling lessens the demand for original materials required for new products,” commented Robinson. “AAA Mid-Atlantic is pleased to do their part in recycling used car batteries to help protect the earth, and to help sustain the environment by contributing to the greening of America through the planting of trees.”
Anyone wishing to recycle an automotive, motorcycle, or lawn mower battery can do so April 22-28 at the following AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Centers in the Philadelphia area:
AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Center
5233 W. Baltimore Avenue
Clifton Heights, PA 19018
610-605-2114
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm
Saturday 8am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Center
849 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19018
610-263-8150
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm
Saturday 8am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
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 the website by clicking here.
