AAA 'Rounds Up' car batteries for annual recycling drive | Environment

AAA Arizona is hosting 'The Great Battery Roundup' recycling drive during Earth week April 16-22. This program has recycled over 1,700 batteries and raised $6,800 since it began in 2000.

This is a time for residents to dispose of improperly stored car batteries, which can potentially cause health, fire and safety hazards for everyone, human and animal alike.  Motorists are urged to drop their used batteries at any AAA owned or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility across the state.  These batteries will then be turned in for recycling at no charge.  There is an added bonus, for every battery collected, AAA Arizona will donate $4 to Tucson Clean & Beautiful.

“The Great Battery Roundup provides a free and easy way for drivers to dispose of their used car batteries safely while removing hazards from our environment,” said John Walter, director of automotive repair for AAA Arizona. “Many motorists may be surprised to find that 99 percent of auto batteries can be recycled into a new auto battery.”

Old batteries can potentially be recycled into new batteries.  When the three major components of a car battery are recycled this is what happens, according to the AAA: 

• A vehicle battery contains 21 pounds of lead. Approximately 97 percent of this lead can be recycled and reused indefinitely in the production of new batteries.
• There is one gallon of sulfuric acid in a vehicle battery. This can be reused for new batteries, 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 three pounds of plastic that comprise a vehicle battery case can be recycled like any other plastic. In fact, cases are black because they have already been made from recycled plastic.

“Recycling unwanted car batteries rather than storing them helps eliminate a hazard to humans, pets, and our community's natural environment in one simple action,” said B.J. Cordova, director of programs for Tucson Clean & Beautiful. “Tucson Clean & Beautiful is glad to partner with AAA Arizona to encourage proper disposal of car batteries for this week, and as a reminder of what can and should be done throughout the year.”

For more information and to find approved drop locations please visit www.aaaaz.com