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(Utica, NY – April 20, 2014)  In commemoration of Earth Day, AAA New York and its team of battery service professionals want the public’s help in hunting down what is estimated to be more than 5 million used, lead-acid car, truck, boat, and motorcycle batteries that have somehow, someway not made their way back to their natural habitat; the recycling plant.

“Some of these old batteries are being illegally disposed of in dumpsters, or are simply placed in consumer’s garages, yards or storage sheds awaiting disposal and AAA wants to encourage more people to take the extra and responsible step in getting these batteries to a recycling center,” said Ed Welsh, General Manager, Central Region, AAA New York.

“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,” Welsh added.

Since 1997, the goal during the Great Battery Roundup campaign is to collect as many batteries as possible, throughout the Central Region, to augment the year round collection efforts of the AAA Battery Service team by removing used batteries for recycling each time they install a replacement battery.  The collection of old, used lead-acid batteries is a national recycling effort.

Members and nonmembers alike can dispose of their old batteries from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 21 through Friday April 25 at  the Central Region office located at 409 Court Street, Utica.

“Leaking acid can be a harmful to children, pets and our environment warns AAA. The acid found in these batteries could seep into the ground, polluting our surroundings for generations to come,” said Welsh.

AAA recommends that consumers wear gloves and safety glasses when handling batteries, keep them upright and place batteries in a sturdy box or plastic container when transporting them for recycling.

If the battery case is cracked or leaking, be especially careful to choose a leak-proof container.  Do not smoke near or expose the batteries to an open flame, and make certain they will not shift and tip over in a moving vehicle.

 

By martha

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