LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 2, 2007 -- For the fifth consecutive year, the AAA
Great Battery Roundup® is about to begin, and the Auto Club is urging
Southern California motorists to scour garages, carports, yards, tool sheds
and storage units for used vehicle, motorcycle, boat and airplane
batteries, and donate them at designated recycling sites.
For each battery "rounded up" and returned to one of the Auto Club's 44
designated recycling sites from April 16-22, the AAA Battery Service will
donate $1.50 to Surfbus, a group which provides first-time beach trips and
marine science education to low-income children in two counties. A
city-by-city list of drop off locations can be found at
www.AAA.com and
then clicking on the Automotive home page.
In 2006, the AAA Great Battery Roundup® collected 2,097 batteries from
individuals, homeowners, boaters and small plane operators, throughout
Southern California. That's more than 44,000 lbs. of lead that no longer
threaten the environment. Last year's campaign generated more than $3,000
that was distributed to Surfbus, allowing it to grant 300 children
first-time beach trips. Using battery roundup proceeds, the Hermosa
Beach-group expanded into Orange County last summer with Surfbus
transporting children to Huntington Beach. The group's director has said
she'd like to expand the program into Ventura County this year.
"After the battery roundup wraps up this year, the collection sites at
selected roadside assistance tow contractors will become permanent so the
public can donate junk batteries at any time," said the Auto Club's AAA
Battery Service Manager Bill Howell. "We want to encourage year-round
conservation and expanding the battery collection effort is one way to do
it," he added.
"We want to thank everyone who took the time last year to drop off a used
battery at our collection sites. Removing junk batteries from the
environment makes a difference in our quality of life," said Howell.
"Leaking batteries can poison children and animals and pollute soil and
water."
The 2007 AAA Great Battery Roundup® campaign goal is to collect at least
1,000 batteries throughout the Southland.
"We're grateful to be chosen again by the Auto Club to receive proceeds
from the battery roundup," said Surfbus Director Mary Setterholm. "The
funds from the recycling campaign last year made a tremendous impact on the
scope of our program. Many more children were able to leave their
neighborhoods to enjoy the beach and learn about the ocean," she added. "We
greatly appreciate the unique 'green' AAA campaign to round up used lead
batteries," said Setterholm.
A former US Women's Surfing Champion and Orange County resident, Setterholm
founded Surfbus after she witnessed a child drown on the beach. The summer
camp draws thousands of low-income children from Southern California to its
program annually. At camp they learn about ocean currents, sea life, tides
and waves.
For those who don't have a battery to contribute, but want to be part of
the campaign to help the Surfbus organization, contributions can be sent to
Surfbus, c/o 302 19th St., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Write in Auto
Club/AAA Great Battery Roundup® in the memo line of the check.
The Auto Club suggests the following battery recycling safety tips:
-- Wear leather or disposable gloves and safety glasses when handling
batteries.
-- When transporting dead batteries for recycling, keep batteries upright
and place them in a sturdy box or plastic container. (Plastic containers
can be purchased at local home repair and auto parts centers.)
-- If the battery is cracked or leaking, use a leak-proof container.
-- Don't smoke near, or expose batteries to, an open flame.
-- Wash hands with warm water and soap afterwards, even though you wore
gloves.
Contact Information: Contact:
Elaine Beno
714-885-2324