Earth Day spurs annual vehicle battery recycling drive by AAA/CAA.

• Each year, failed batteries account for more than 5 million road service calls to AAA and the Canadian Automobile Association, CAA. To better serve members, the association launched a mobile battery service, which installed its 1 millionth battery in December 2005.

• More than 100 million automotive lead-acid batteries are sold annually in the United States. About 97 percent of lead in spent batteries is recyclable, but an estimated 5 million batteries are not recycled. Association clubs sponsor an annual event called the AAA or CAA Great Battery Roundup^®.

• 2006 marks the sixth year AAA and CAA clubs have organized a Great Battery Roundup in observance of Earth Day. Combined, roundup batteries and those collected and recycled as part of the ongoing mobile battery replacement services exceed 1 million.

• An estimated 400,000 used vehicle batteries will be sold this year in North America as part of the association's mobile battery replacement solution.

• Lead-acid batteries are essentially boxed electricity, and proper handling is key to preventing injuries. Because they can emit hydrogen gas, batteries should not be exposed to an open flame and cigarette smoking should be prohibited. Anyone handling a battery should wear protective eyewear and gloves.

• Because battery failure is a significant and frequent inconvenience to motorists, AAA/CAA clubs use specially equipped vehicles driven by highly trained technicians who test, diagnose and solve battery problems. AAA/CAA battery technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to test battery and automotive charging systems and boost partially discharged batteries or install a replacement battery if requested. Failed batteries are collected by technicians and quickly returned to a recylcing plant. 

• An automotive battery, contains about 21 pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic and one gallon of sulfuric acid. When a spent battery is recycled, all these elements can be reclaimed and reused in new batteries.

• The lead-acid battery industry was an early innovator of "closed loop" recycling and remains a leader in this efficient, economical process. This process reclaims materials from spent batteries and uses them in the production of new units.

• Lead-acid batteries are considered hazardous material. Since the battery industry developed the infrastructure to recycle them, the Environmental Protection Agency allowed regulations to be changed in 1985 so the industry could collect spent batteries for recycling. Lead-acid battery recycling laws have been passed in 43 states. Most laws require buyers of new lead batteries to turn in spent batteries at the time of purchase or pay a "core charge"or deposit. 

• Lead costs are on the rise, so recycling spent batteries not only protects the environment but also reclaims valuable lead and plastic for manufacturing, saving energy and money on raw materials.

For more information, contact your local AAA or CAA club.

Sources: AAA, Club Assist International, Battery Council International, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.