How to Dispose of Car Batteries Safely
- by Joe Weber - updated on 6/16/2022
When your car battery reaches the end of its life—typically after three to five years—it's time to recycle it. But what's the best way to go about that? Recycling is essential not just for the environment but also to properly dispose of hazardous materials. Keep reading to learn why recycling is so important and where you can take your old battery to be recycled.
Can You Throw Away Car and Truck Batteries?
No, you can't just toss your old car battery in the trash. Car batteries contain heavy metals and chemicals that are hazardous to both people and the environment if not disposed of properly. A single lead-acid car battery can hold up to 18 pounds of lead and about a gallon of corrosive, lead-contaminated sulfuric acid. If these batteries end up in a landfill, they can leak over time, contaminating soil and groundwater, and potentially harming nearby lakes, streams, and local communities. That's why throwing car batteries away with your regular garbage is illegal.
Can Car Batteries Be Recycled?
Yes, nearly 100% of a lead battery can be recycled, including lead, plastic, and sulfuric acid, which can be recovered and repurposed. While it's great that automotive batteries are recyclable, you can't simply throw them into your municipal recycling bin. Due to the hazardous materials inside, car batteries must be taken to a facility equipped to handle them, like a battery retailer or a local hazardous waste collection program.
Where Can I Recycle Old Car Batteries?
Did you know that Batteries Plus accepts old car batteries? It's true—we recycle around 52 million pounds of lead-acid batteries each year. These used batteries are sent to EPA-certified processors, where all the salvageable materials are separated and repurposed.
If you have a used car battery that needs recycling, just bring it to one of our 700+ locations across the U.S. Be aware that the types of materials each location can accept might vary slightly.
How Much Does It Cost To Recycle A Car Battery?
You'll be happy to learn that dropping off an old car battery for recycling won't cost you a penny. We will gladly take your old, used car or truck battery and recycle it properly.
Does Batteries Plus Offer Car Battery Recycling for Businesses?
Batteries Plus provides battery and light bulb recycling as part of our business account program. If your company manages a fleet of vehicles, consider signing up —it's completely free. As a member, you'll enjoy additional perks like volume discount pricing, flexible shipping options, and access to a dedicated advisor. Discover why your business should choose Batteries Plus for your recycling needs.
Batteries Plus Offers Additional Battery and Light Bulb Recycling
At Batteries Plus, we recycle more than just car batteries. We also accept various other device batteries and household batteries, along with a wide range of light bulbs (fees may apply depending on the location and type of item you are recycling). For full details on what we accept and answers to common recycling questions, check out our Recycling Page or contact your nearest Batteries Plus to find out what recyclables they accept.
Need a new car battery? Explore our range of top-quality car and truck batteries from trusted brands like Duracell, Optima, and X2Power. Many of our stores also offer battery installation for most vehicle makes and models. Installation fees may vary depending on the location and the complexity of the job.