SEEING GREEN ON EARTH DAY AND EVERY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR, WITH EACH 12-VOLT BATTERY AAA MID-ATLANTIC EXPANDS GREEN EFFORTS

Auto Club Recycles Batteries, Plants Trees and Utilizes “Green” Service Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D. C. (Friday, April 21, 2017) –– A dead car battery can bring the blues, though this time of year, AAA roadside assistance and AAA Car Care Centers will help motorists see green with the auto club’s annual Earth Day vehicle battery recycling efforts.  Car batteries rank as the “most recycled products in the United States.”

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day. As part of AAA’s annual Earth Day recognition, the auto club will plant 2,550 trees, one for each battery recycled by members, at a roadside or a AAA repair facility, between April 17 and 23.  In addition, customers who visit any AAA retail store or AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Center can also help plant a tree with a donation of $1 or more. All trees will be planted in National Forests through the Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit conservation and education organization. As a socially responsible corporate citizen, AAA Mid-Atlantic, as well as its members and the motoring public, understand the tremendous environmental impact recycling car batteries has in terms of reducing toxic waste and unnecessary production of new materials.

“Sixty to 80 percent of car batteries consist of hard rubber or plastic. The lead and sulfuric acid can also be recycled. Recycling lessens the demand for original materials required for new products,” said John B. Townsend II, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.  “Recycling used car batteries helps to protect the earth, and helps to sustain the environment by contributing to the greening of America through the planting of trees.”

Environmental responsibility is standard operating procedure for the AAA Battery Service programs. The auto club first began its mobile battery recycling efforts in 1997, and last year, recycled approximately 1.75 million batteries nationally. Regionally, AAA Mid-Atlantic recycled more than 149,000 batteries last year throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In Washington, D.C. AAA responded to 17,976 rescue calls for battery replacements in 2016 with the 2017 projection close at 17,874. In 2016, AAA also responded to 102,260 battery requests in Maryland with 2017’s projection at 101,010. In Virginia, AAA responded to 92,901 battery replacement requests in 2016 with 2017’s projection at 92,907. 

AAA Mid-Atlantic has five hybrid (Prius) vehicles in Landover, Maryland.  Hybrid and electric vehicles in the fleet can perform jump starts, handle flat tires, fuel delivery and lockouts. “We are proud to do our part to help sustain the environment through the use of our green service vehicles,” said Bruce Jenkins, Club Fleet Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic.  Research shows automobile batteries have “a 98 percent to 99 percent recycling rate.”

Follow us on Twitter: @AAADCNews

Like us on Facebook: AAA Mid-Atlantic News

Washington, D.C. Mailing Address:
1405 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com