AAA Northern California extends battery recycling program

LOS ANGELES (Scrap Monster): The AAA Northern California will collect automotive batteries all year long, as part of Earth Day celebrations. People are allowed to drop off their discarded automotive, motorcycle, RV and marine batteries at any of the drop-off locations in Northern California throughout the year. AAA will continue to collect and recycle them through the popular “AAA Battery Roundup” recycling program.

According to AAA, old batteries may leak, causing sulfuric acid burns and even explosions, if stored improperly. Also, if not disposed of properly, the harmful substances present in it such as lead and sulfuric acid can leak into groundwater or cause lead poisoning and chemical burns.

An automotive battery contains about 21 pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic and one gallon of sulfuric acid. When a spent battery is recycled, lead is re-smelted into new battery plates, acid is neutralized and reclaimed and plastic is used to make new battery cases.

AAA has recycled approximately 468,500 batteries during the period from 2001 to 2009. The company has recovered and recycled 8.4 million pounds of lead, 1.4 million pounds of plastic and 468,500 gallons of sulfuric acid. According to AAA, the battery recycling program not only protects the environment, but also saves huge sums of money on energy and raw materials.

Meantime, AAA urged caution while handling batteries. The batteries should not be exposed to an open flame, as they can leak and emit hydrogen gas. People are also advised to wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling them