NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
AAA Contact Information
Rose White, Public Affairs Director
402-938-3806
RWhite@AAANE.com
AAA is charged up to test and recycle car batteries
Lincoln, October 3, 2013 -- AAA is offering individuals an opportunity to dispose
of their old automotive and marine batteries in an environmentally-friendly
manner with the Great Battery Roundup event. And, with the start of the winter
season just around the corner, the event provides car owners with the
opportunity to have their vehicle’s working battery tested and inspected to help
ensure a safe start on cold winter days.
This free public event will be held on Tuesday, October 29, from 2 pm to 6 pm at
the AAA Lincoln office located at 2900 “O” Street.
“Now, before the cold temperatures arrive, is an ideal time to have your battery
checked,” stated Shannon Rink, manager of AAA’s Lincoln Roadside Assistance
fleet operations. “An aging battery or a unit with corroded connections increases
the likelihood that you will experience starting problems that may leave you and
your family stranded.”
AAA’s Mobile Battery Service unit will conduct free diagnosis of the battery,
battery drain, charging system, and starting system. Due to equipment and
space limitations, technicians will not be able to test battery systems on hybrid
vehicles or large trucks and recreational vehicles. The free diagnosis takes
approximately five-minutes. Each test will include a printout of the test results.
Since storing unused vehicle batteries can pose a serious health and safety risk
to people, animals and the environment, AAA encourages individuals to dispose
of used batteries in an environmentally responsible manner.
“When properly recycled, nearly every part of an automotive battery can be
reused,” stated Marilyn Muir, field manager of AAA’s Lincoln office.
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.
The Great Battery roundup is free to all AAA Members and the general public.
For every battery collected through the Great Battery Roundup, AAA will donate
$10 to the Nebraska State Recycling Association which provides recycling
equipment grants to a wide variety of recycling efforts across the state.
For more information, contact the Lincoln AAA office at 402-441-4514.
AAA Nebraska is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the second largest AAA club in
North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and
financial services offerings to approximately 8.8 million members across 11 states and
two U.S. territories, including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and
Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with
nearly 54 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes
protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.
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10/3/2013