Driven to Recycle : CAA North & East Ontario's Ninth Annual Great Battery Roundup Starts this Week

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) - Get a start on your spring cleaning by getting rid of your old automotive batteries in an environmentally friendly way. CAA North & East Ontario (CAANEO) is once again "charged up" for its ninth annual Great Battery Roundup. This year's program starts Sunday, May 29 and continues until Saturday, June 11, with pick-up service and drop-off locations for old batteries available in several municipalities throughout North & East Ontario.

"Though automotive batteries contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact the environment, many people are unaware that these elements can be reclaimed and reused in new batteries," said Korey Kennedy, Manager of Public & Government Affairs for CAANEO. "Our Club respects the importance of environmental responsibility and we continue to invest in proactive green initiatives, such as the Great Battery Roundup, which help us all to do our part to preserve the environment."

As in previous years, all proceeds from the Great Battery Roundup will be going to Scouts Canada's tree planting program, "Scoutrees for Canada." Since its inception in 1974, Scoutrees has planted more than 70 million seedlings, and CAANEO is proud to support such an environmentally friendly cause. The previous two Great Battery Roundup campaigns helped raise approximately $6,000 for this valuable program, and CAANEO is eager to add to that amount this year.

The Great Battery Roundup is free to all CAA Members, as well as the general public. In Ottawa and Thunder Bay, simply call 613-820-1400 or 1-800-CAA-HELP to have old automotive batteries picked up at your home or business. Special Great Battery Roundup events will also be taking place at the Orleans Travel Store (June 4), the Kanata Travel Store (June 11), and the Thunder Bay Travel Store (June 11), where CAA automotive experts will be on hand to test car batteries for free and answer automotive questions. To find the nearest location to drop off your used battery in Sudbury, Dryden, Timmins, Parry Sound, North Bay, Pembroke, Renfrew, and Cornwall please visit www.caaneo.ca/gbr.

Automobile batteries consist of 10 kilograms of contaminating lead, three litres of toxic sulfuric acid, and a plastic case. More than 98% of these materials can be recycled and used to create a new battery. CAA North & East Ontario will ship all collected batteries to a recycling facility for processing.

CAANEO reminds individuals of the dangers that can stem from handling an automotive battery. Take care to protect yourself by wearing gloves and safety glasses and ensure batteries remain upright and in a plastic, leak-proof container during transport. Keep sparks and flames, including cigarettes, away from batteries as this could cause them to explode.

For more than 100 years, the Canadian Automobile Association has provided travel, emergency road services, insurance, and advocacy for its Members. CAA North & East Ontario continues to be the leading membership organization by recognizing and promoting its heritage and integrity in the community, while maximizing Members' value.