ADVISORY/Auto Club of Southern California ``GREAT BATTERY ROUNDUP'' Kick Off; Motorists Can Drop Off and Recycle Dead Vehicle and Boat Batteries Daily April 19-26 at Auto Club Collection Locations

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PHOTO & MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:   The "GREAT BATTERY ROUNDUP(R)" is an effort to collect
        thousands of hazardous "stray" vehicle and boat batteries for
        recycling and support of a local environmental group.
        Batteries will be collected daily from April 19-26 at
        collection locations throughout the Southland. For every
        battery collected, the AAA Battery Service will donate $1.50
        to The Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center in Laguna
        Beach.

WHO:    The Auto Club and motorists working together to remove an
        environmental and safety hazard from our communities. The Auto
        Club's goal is to collect 6,000 batteries from Southern
        California garages, backyards and tool sheds.

WHY:    While 95 percent of vehicle battery lead is recycled, more
        than 5 million stray batteries were not returned to industry
        recycling plants last year. Dead automobile and marine
        batteries can discharge lead and sulfuric acid into the
        environment, creating health hazards and danger for humans and
        animals. Batteries also can explode in a fire.

WHEN:   10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17

WHERE:  The "GREAT BATTERY ROUNDUP(R)" kicks off at Community Club
        Service, 6800 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Phone: 323/466-1097.

FEATURING: 
        Visual demonstration of how to safely remove and transport
        a car battery for "roundup" at the collection locations. 
        Consumers dropping off dead batteries for recycling at
        Community Club Service. Representatives from The Friends
        of the Seal Lion Marine Mammal Center describe their work
        and animals in their care.

        A complete list of 65 drop-off locations can be found at
        www.aaa-calif.com.