TOLEDO, OH (April 16, 2019) On Earth Day, more than one billion people in 192 countries across the globe will “clean up their towns and roads” and plant trees.  So will AAA. Through April 28, customers who visit any AAA retail store can help plant a tree with a donation of $1 or more. AAA Tire & Auto Service locations also will accept old and used tires and batteries and will plant a tree on your behalf. All trees will be planted in U.S. National Forests through the Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit conservation and education organization. 

Collecting old batteries can help the environment. Batteries can be toxic to humans and animals and dangerous to the environment. And old tires can be breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

“Almost 90 percent of all lead-acid batteries, that is to say automotive batteries, are recycled in the United States,” said AAA Tire & Auto Service Manager, Matt Barnes.  “The problem is one in every 10 old batteries that are not in the recycling loop end up in landfills, backyards, and in garbage dumps. Car batteries left outside or on the floor of a garage can leak acid, heavy metals and hazardous chemicals and those compounds can leech out into the environment.”

Environmental responsibility is standard operating procedure for AAA Battery Service programs. The auto club first began its mobile battery recycling efforts in 1997, and each year recycles approximately 1.75 million batteries nationally. AAA understands 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, which can be recycled. The lead and sulfuric acid can also be recycled. 

Aside from donating to AAA’s tree planting efforts, motorists can take other measures to conserve and find efficiencies. 

Ways drivers can increase fuel efficiency

• Stick to a routine maintenance schedule. Keeping tires properly inflated, moving components lubricated and ignition and emission systems in good operating condition will help ensure maximum fuel efficiency and extend the life of your vehicle.
• Change engine oil at the intervals indicated by the in-car maintenance reminder system or factory schedule. Use an “energy-conserving” oil that meets the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
• Check the air filter at least twice a year. A dirty filter won’t affect fuel economy on a modern fuel-injected car, but it will reduce engine performance.
• Engine spark plugs must be in good condition. Some types last for 100,000 miles, but others need to be replaced more often.

In other ‘green efforts,’ AAA provides free electric charging stations and air stations at various AAA Tire & Auto Service locations.

Northwest Ohio has two locations:

AAA Tire & Auto Service, 25740 N Dixie Highway, Perrysburg

AAA Tire & Auto Service, 3201 Meijer Drive, Toledo, OH

###

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working 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 (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.