What’s Under Your Hood?
The Most Recycled Consumer Product
When your car battery reaches the end of its lifespan, you can feel good about where it goes. National Battery Day is Feb. 18, so now is the perfect time to reflect on how the most recycled consumer product impacts our daily lives and keeps us on the move.
Look under the hood of any internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, and you will find a lead car battery. Every mass-produced hybrid and full-electric vehicle also requires a lead battery to power critical onboard functions.
A Product to Feel Good About
Essential Energy Everyday reports that the lead in lead batteries is infinitely recyclable and can be used again and again. More than 130 million lead batteries are recycled and kept from landfills every year. And, as the most environmentally friendly battery technology, a new lead battery is typically made from more than 80 percent recycled material. With constant innovation, lead batteries have a proven track record for safety and reliability.
How AAA Makes a Difference
AAA takes great pride in its long-term reputation for environmental protection. We recycle every lead battery we replace using an EPA-approved recycling center. Even better? Nearly 100 percent of every used battery we collect is recycled. When you use AAA for car battery replacement, we do the work for you. Rest assured, your battery is responsibly recycled.
Our main battery supplier, East Penn Manufacturing, is a private, family-owned company operating the largest single-site lead battery manufacturing facility in the world. Based in Pennsylvania, the EPA permitted facility is a model for the lead battery recycling industry. It uses the most advanced technology available to reduce lead emissions into the air, wastewater, and stormwater.
The AAA Mobile Battery Service Program
AAA is dedicated to protecting our environment and ensuring great road trips for generations to come. A lead car battery usually lasts for three to six years, depending on a variety of factors. Extreme heat or cold; harsh wear and tear; short, infrequent drives; and age all affect the lifespan of your battery. When the time comes to replace your battery, a AAA Battery Service Technician comes to you – at work, at home, almost anywhere – to deliver and replace it onsite. They will also safely recycle your old battery.
For more information about AAA’s Mobile Battery Service, visit AAA.com/Battery or call 1.800.AAA.HELP for car battery service.