Give Your Dead Car Battery a Decent Burial

Is a dead car battery cluttering up and rusting in your garage or carport? Old batteries contain more than 20 pounds of lead and a gallon of sulfuric acid. They are too toxic to throw into the regular garbage, but what is the safest way to dispose of them? According to the American Automobile Association's Vice President of Automotive Services David Whitgob, more than 200,000 dead batteries in California are just waiting for a decent burial. That's why the AAA is launching the annual "Great Battery Roundup" this week, in honor of Earth Day.

Mr. Whitgob recommends using caution when handling the old batteries. Wear gloves and safety glasses and don't expose them to any open flames, and that includes cigarettes. Use a leak-proof box when transporting the battery, in case it is cracked and leaking acid. You can find a recycling location near you by going to aaa.com or BatteryRoundup.com.