(NUI) - What's in your neighborhood recycling bin? If you are like most diligent recyclers, yesterday's newspaper finds its way atop a curbside pile that includes aluminum cans, glass jars and some two-liter soda bottles. And that's pretty much where most consumer recycling efforts end.

But consider the lowly battery - something to which most people don't give a second thought until this important device stops powering their cell phone, hand-held vacuum and especially their car.

According to AAA, more than 100 million automotive batteries were sold last year in the United States alone, and while most found their way back to recycling plants, several million did not. With the number of vehicles currently more than the number of licensed drivers, the number of junk batteries in search of a final resting place has the potential to increase.

So, what can you do? For starters, don't toss your car's old battery into a bin with your household recyclables and leave it on the curb. An automotive battery, also referred to as a lead-acid battery, contains about 21 pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic and one gallon of sulfuric acid. These items can be toxic if handled improperly.

If you are the do-it-yourself type, take your spent battery to a quality auto parts retailer that is committed to battery recycling.

Each year, AAA handles some 5 million road service calls in North America for battery-related issues. Now, with the advent of new mobile battery service, its members have an option for an "on the go" solution to a dead battery. The AAA Battery Service, available in most municipal areas in North America, can test, diagnose and replace batteries on the spot for members. And each time a new battery is installed, the old one is returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

If you prefer to take your vehicle to a repair shop when it is time to replace your battery, consider one of the more than 5,600 auto service businesses inspected and approved by AAA as part of its approved auto repair program. AAA-approved shops are environmentally aware and will make sure your spent battery is disposed of properly.

To learn more about battery recycling and AAA's efforts to help motorists protect the environment, visit www.aaa.com or www.aaa publicaffairs.com.


EDITOR'S NOTE: This article may be of interest to readers for Earth Day.
Media Release Date: 3/3/04