April 9, 2003

The great battery roundup

Help IBRRC by donating old batteries during Auto Club's recycling effort

Did you know that used vehicle batteries are a toxic danger to humans and the environment - as well as a potentially dangerous fire and safety hazard? Unfortunately, every year more than 7 million of them are disposed of improperly in the United States. Many are illegally dumped in rivers and streams or end up in landfills. More are simply sitting in a forgotten corner of someone's property where they can contaminate soil and ground water, explode in a fire or become a source of lead poisoning to humans and animals.

Don’t harm the environment, or yourself – recycle used batteries. From April 14 - 19, AAA supports Earth Day 2003 and your local wildlife rescue center through their Great Battery Roundup. You can recycle old batteries by dropping them off at locations in Fairfield, Vallejo and Vacaville (list below). During Roundup Week, when you take your old car, motorcycle and boat batteries to the certified battery service facility in your area, AAA will donate up to $2 per battery to International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) in Cordelia.

The Great Battery Roundup is a program supported by AAA’s Outdoor Corps, a volunteer group of members, employees and retirees working together to promote a healthier environment and helping organizations who do the same. They chose IBRRC’s Orphan Duckling Program, which successfully raised and released over 600 ducklings last year.

CSAA believes recycling is a healthy alternative to the toxic waste dead batteries become. Recycling preserves natural resources and conserves 99 percent of salvageable materials - specifically, lead, sulfuric acid and the petrochemicals used to produce plastics. Only 95 percent of batteries are currently recycled, leaving 5 million stray batteries leaching lead and sulfuric acid into ground water or creating risks of explosion and fire.

IBRRC - Duckling Fund

As a result of the 2002 Battery Roundup, we received $ 1,300 from CSAA. We are eligible to receive funding again this year IF you pass the word along to friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors. Ask every one you know to bring their batteries in so we can get an even bigger check this year.

Deposit Sites

Throughout the Great Battery Roundup, anyone can, at no charge, deposit batteries for recycling at any of more than 30 designated sites in California. Contributors can find a battery drop off location by visiting CSAA's web site at www.batteryroundup.com or by calling (800) 903-2227.

Remember these Safety Tips: Wear gloves and safety glasses when handling batteries. Place them upright in a cardboard 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 or expose batteries to an open flame, and make certain they will not shift or tip over in a moving vehicle.

Benefit the environment and wildlife by dropping off used car, truck and motorcycle batteries at these locations:

Return to list of press releases

Media contact:

Karen Benzel, IBRRC, (831) 622-7588, karen@ibrrc.org

Jennifer Mack, Auto Club, (415) 565-2315, jennifer_mack@csaa.com

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