AAA Says 'Get the Lead Out' for Its Great Battery Roundup April 16-23

AURORA, Ill., April 13 -- In commemoration of Earth Day, AAA Chicago and the EPA are asking area motorists to help take charge of their environment by helping "Get the lead out" during AAA's Great Battery Roundup.

"AAA wants to educate the public on the potential dangers of having old lead acid batteries in our living areas while also encouraging battery recycling," said Bob Kaczor, AAA Automotive Services Assistant Vice President.

"Get the lead out" invites the public to bring a car or marine battery to one of AAA's local Approved Auto Repair facilities for free disposal from Saturday, April 16 through Saturday, April 23. Each battery returned will generate funds toward a charitable donation to the American Lung Association to commemorate Earth Day.

With an estimated 248 million vehicles on the road in North America, the proper use and disposal of vehicle batteries, tires and various types of automotive fluids are crucial to a healthy environment. Often, lead-acid vehicle batteries are left to sit in garages, backyards and storage sheds where they may be creating an environmental safety hazard. When left to sit, they could contaminate soil and ground water, explode in a fire or become a source of lead poisoning to humans and animals. Just the same, some used batteries are illegally disposed of in dumps and water sources.

When handling batteries, AAA Chicago requests consumers wear gloves and safety glasses, 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.

To find the nearest AAA Approved Auto Repair facility to recycle your battery April 16-23, call (866) YOUR-AAA (1-866-968-7222) or you can visit us on the Web at http://aaa.com/ .

For more than 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 48 million members in the United States and Canada.