BUFFALO, N.Y., April 15, 2009 – To commemorate Earth Day, AAA Western and Central New York is asking for the public’s help in collecting used lead-acid vehicle and marine batteries as part of the ninth annual AAA Great Battery Roundup®. Each battery collected will generate a charitable donation to the local chapter of the Audubon Society, a not-for-profit organization promoting environmental conservation through education and advocacy.

The AAA Great Battery Roundup will take place 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, April 24th in Northern New York:

Ogdensburg Area Rishe’s Auto
1111 Paterson Street Place, Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669

The AAA Great Battery Roundup will take also place 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 25th at the following locations throughout in the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse areas:

Buffalo/Niagara Region AAA Car Care Plus® 2131 Eggert Road, Amherst, N.Y. 14226

Rochester Region Griff’s Auto Service 55 Cedarfield Commons, Rochester, N.Y. 14612

Ricci’s Towing Service 773 Linden Avenue, East Rochester, N.Y. 14625

Syracuse Region AAA Liverpool Insurance Center 7485 Henry Clay Boulevard, Liverpool, N.Y. 13088

Chandler Automotive 6745 State Route 31, Cicero, N.Y. 13039

The AAA Great Battery Roundup aims to collect what is estimated to be more than 5 million used, lead-acid batteries that have not made their way back to their natural habitat - the recycling plant. Dead automobile and marine batteries can discharge lead and sulfuric acid in to the environment, creating health and safety hazards for humans and animals.

The average car battery contains three pounds of plastic, one gallon of sulfuric acid, and 21 pounds of lead; all materials that can be recycled to manufacture new batteries. At least 97 percent of the lead contained in an automotive battery can be reused indefinitely.

AAA recommends that consumers wear gloves and safety glasses when handling batteries, keep them upright and place batteries in a sturdy box or plastic container when transporting them for recycling.

In addition to battery collection, AAA will be performing free vehicle battery check-ups at all locations. For more information on the AAA Great Battery Roundup please call (800) 836-CLUB (2582) or visit the events calendar on www.AAA.com.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.