Page 4 - AAA Schuylkill County - AAA Now! March/April 2015

MEMBER SERVICES
Powering Up Recycling Efforts
A battery of ongoing efforts are being used to help protect the environment
by Wayne S. Hamilton
WAYNE S. HAMILTON
Chairman of the Board
Did you know that
car batteries are the
most recycled consumer products in the world today? That’s a fact, say the experts at Battery Council International. In particular, car batteries have a remarkable 98-99% recycle rate, according to website Earth911.com.
This statistic is even more impressive when compared to the 65% of aluminum cans that are recycled today, 59% of newspapers and only 37% of glass bottles.
The impressively high recycle rate for car batteries is a good thing, because they are
typically made up of a thick plastic case, significant quantities of lead and a highly acidic, electrolyte liquid inside. But with more than 100 million automotive lead-acid batteries sold in the U.S. alone each year, even a 98% recycle rate still means that there are over a million old batteries still
left not recycled in garages, backyards, and even dumped into the environment we all share.
Recycle: It’s the law!
It’s no wonder that current regulations in a majority of states require retailers to take back
old car batteries when selling a new one to customers. After all, improperly stored batteries may leak, causing acid burns or explosions. In landfills, batteries can easily contaminate soil and ground water. That’s one of the reasons for strong regulations in most cities that prohibit the dumping of old batteries or even placing them out for general curbside pickup, due to the hazardous
and toxic materials from which they’re made. And yet, while many car owners already return
their old batteries to a car dealership or retail
store when purchasing a replacement, Auto Club members have it even better. That’s because
when you have a new battery installed by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility or our Mobile Battery Service, you can be sure that your old battery will be 97% recycled in an EPA-approved facility.
New Life for “Dead” Batteries
As part of our ongoing mobile battery replacement service, AAA and CAA (Canadian Auto Clubs) clubs throughout North America have already collected and recycled a combined total of well over 2 million batteries. In fact, AAA clubs all
over the continent sponsor annual “Great Battery Roundup” events (typically during the month of April), during which a donation is made to local environmental organizations for every battery brought in to participating AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. For information on the next Great Battery Roundup near you, contact us.
Getting the Lead Out
So what happens to old batteries? First, they are safely transported to recycling facilities where they are then crushed into nickel-sized pieces. These pieces are separated into three key components: lead, acid and plastic. At least 97% of the lead from an automotive battery can be recycled and used
to make new batteries. Because the cost of lead is going up, recycling old batteries not only keeps the used lead from going back into the environment,
it also helps to save money and energy required for the raw, virgin materials to make new batteries. That’s why, according to the Battery Council International, 60-80% of the lead (and plastic,
too) in every new battery made today is recycled material.
The Acid Test
The sulfuric acid in old batteries can also be recycled for use in new batteries. It can be converted into sodium sulphate, which is used in making fertilizer, dyes and other common products. It can even be neutralized, purified and tested before being used as clean water. With all the recycling of these three primary components, it’s no wonder that, as mentioned above, a typical new lead-acid battery installed in vehicles today contains anywhere
from 60-80% recycled lead and plastic. That’s a lot of material that didn’t go into landfills.
Making the Green Choice
Finally, because a great many roadside or at- home service calls are due to a battery problem
and a heavy, fuel-guzzling tow truck is not needed, AAA experts work to determine the cause of your problem prior to dispatching a technician. When possible, we will send out a light-duty battery service vehicle in order to further reduce our carbon footprint in your community. Our battery experts are extensively trained to test, diagnose and solve battery problems and are equipped with the proper safety equipment, including an approved spill
kit that enables them to safely clean up any acid leaking from old or damaged batteries.
To help with all your automotive needs, AAA offers a free public service to assist motorists seeking a qualified and trustworthy auto repair facility. And remember, AAA members get a 10% discount on repair labor, a 12-month/12,000-mile nationwide warranty, and a free maintenance inspection upon request with any paid service. To find a repair facility near you, visit AAA.com/Repair.
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MARCH/APRIL 2015