CANTON -- The AAA Great Battery Roundup starts on Earth Day, Monday, April 22 and runs until April 24.

The event seeks to encourage motorists to bring old automotive and marine lead-acid batteries to a local collection point to be safely recycled and formed into new batteries.

AAA Western and Central New York is hosting a convenient program once again this year with multiple battery collection points. AAA will also donate proceeds to planting trees in Western and Central New York.

Each year, approximately 97 percent of vehicle batteries are recycled. However, the remaining 3 percent add up to millions of pounds of lead and gallons of sulfuric acid. These can be discharged into the environment, creating health and safety hazards for humans and animals, as well as potential fire hazards.

Motorists can take part in AAA Western and Central New York’s free lead-based battery recycling – any brand or type of lead-acid or AGM batteries will be accepted, including car, boat and RV batteries, however, lithium batteries are not eligible. Unless otherwise noted below, drop-off hours are Monday, April 22, through Wednesday, April 24, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

St. Lawrence County residents can drop off batteries at Johnson Towing & Auto Repair, 6385 US Highway 11 in Canton.