AAA will once again honor Earth Day and Arbor Day this year with a unique car battery recycling program that has already resulted in the planting of tens of thousands of new trees in National Forests. Beginning today and running through May 1, the auto club will fund the planting of a new tree for every car battery replaced and recycled by its Emergency Roadside Service, its Mobile Battery Service or at any of its AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel locations.

Last year, AAA’s Batteries for Trees campaign resulted in the funding of over 8,400 new trees - an increase of 40 percent from the previous year. This year, we are aiming even higher, with the goal of funding more than 10,000 new trees.

“AAA and our Associates recognize the importance of recycling batteries and take great pride in promoting and participating in this “green” initiative,” said Amber Zionkowski, Corporate Citizenship Manager. “The success of this particular program suggests that AAA’s year round commitment to environmental responsibility is not only important to us, but to our Members as well.”

Nearly 100 percent of a car battery can be recycled, reducing toxic waste and lessening the demand for original materials required for new products. AAA’s car battery supplier, Battery Service Solutions, collects and recycles all of the old batteries, and is a partner in this year’s Batteries for Trees campaign.

Not Just Batteries

AAA will also fund additional tree plantings to reflect our Associates involvement in a number of “green” activities and volunteer efforts throughout the month of April.

Additionally, customers who visit any AAA retail store or AAA Car Care location now through May 1 can support a tree planting with a donation of $1 or more.

All trees will be planted in National Forests through the Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit conservation and education organization. For store locations, visit AAA.com/Locations.

To further support environmentally friendly alternative fuel choices, AAA also recognizes the need of electric vehicle owners to access vehicle charging stations when on the road. With that in mind, AAA has installed charging stations at select AAA Car Care, Travel and Insurance locations These electric vehicle charging stations are a free, 24-hour service with unlimited charging for AAA Members and the general public.

Electric vehicle drivers can find additional charging locations throughout the country through AAA’s TripTik Planner feature that can be found on the AAA Mobile app or at AAA.com/TripTik. AAA offers additional resources and information to assist electric vehicle owners and educate consumers about electric vehicles at AAA Exchange.

About AAA:

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 62,000,000 members nationally.  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, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can 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 on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.

For More information and local interviews:

Connecticut – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Delaware – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

Indiana – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kansas – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kentucky – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Maryland – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

New Jersey – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Ohio – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Oklahoma – Leslie Gamble, Leslie.Gamble@aaaok.org

Pennsylvania – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

South Dakota – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Virginia – Morgan Dean, Morgan MDean@aaamidatlantic.com

Washington, DC – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

West Virginia – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com