Businesses that receive used lead-acid batteries will then ship out the old batteries in bulk to be recycled by manufacturers. About 60-80% of the materials in new lead-acid batteries actually come from recycled batteries! Many auto shops take a deposit on batteries when they are initially purchased. This means that you will likely receive money back when you drop off your old battery or get a discount when you purchase a new battery. Some examples of big auto parts and service chains that recycle lead-acid batteries are Napa Auto Parts, Jiffy Lube, Firestone Complete Auto Care, and Autozone.
These types of retailers might give you a deposit back on your old battery or offer free recycling or a discount on a new battery if you purchase a new battery at the same time. If you buy a new battery from a retailer without dropping off an old one, you will probably have to pay an additional “core charge” on the new battery. For example, a marine supply shop or boat dealer might recycle lead-acid batteries. You can try searching the Internet with terms like: “car battery retailer in Seattle,” if you live in Seattle, for example.
Many scrap metal recyclers will pay you a small fee for your used batteries. You can Google something like: “scrap yard battery recycler near me” to find a scrap yard that will take your used batteries.
Depending where you live, there might even be a pick-up service that you can schedule. Your local dump should have all the info or you can do some Googling to find out. Keep in mind that hazardous waste recycling facilities and services usually charge a fee to take your old batteries off your hands. Make sure you ask about this fee and bring along an accepted form of payment when you drop off the battery. Try entering a search term on your Internet browser like: “hazardous waste recycling service in Portland,” if you live in Portland, for example.
The method of disposal is the same for both sulfuric battery acid, which is just diluted sulfuric acid, and full-strength sulfuric acid. You might need to dispose of sulfuric battery acid if you buy some to refill something like a sump pump battery and have a little bit left over that doesn’t fit in the battery, for example.
Polyethylene is a type of plastic that won’t corrode when it comes into contact with sulfuric acid. Avoid using other types of plastic that can deteriorate. You can buy a polyethylene container online or at a home improvement center.
You can also order hazardous waste labels online, but if you just need to dispose of battery acid one time, it’s easier to print one out.
Never throw out a container holding sulfuric battery acid with your trash or recycling. You must dispose of it with a hazardous waste disposal service. Some cities have free hazardous waste pick-up services. If not, you might have to pay a fee for a privately-owned service to come get it. This cost will depend on the service where you live, so make sure to ask about it.
Keep in mind you might have to pay a fee to dispose of the battery acid. Ask about this on the phone and make sure to bring along an accepted form of payment when you drop the sulfuric acid off. The cost varies depending on where you live, so find out by asking.
If you do accidentally get battery acid on your skin or in your eyes, flush the area with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 30 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical assistance right away.
The battery cables have lead ends, which is another hazardous material that must be recycled properly along with the rest of the battery. Tampering with a lead-acid battery in any way could damage it and cause it to start leaking.
You can get special battery boxes made out of plastic or fiberglass at an auto parts store. Battery acid can eat through concrete, so if you have to put it on the ground, try to set it on sealed asphalt. If a battery leaks battery acid onto the ground, you can soak it up with baking soda or lime. Note that you will have to dispose of the baking soda or lime as hazardous waste.
Excessive heat can damage batteries and moisture causes corrosion, which can both cause a battery to start leaking.
If the terminals of 2 batteries touch and short circuit they can cause a fire.
Even though your hands were protected with gloves, you should always do this in case a drop of battery acid somehow got inside them.
Even if the battery looks fine at first glance and you don’t see any leaking fluid, inspect it carefully all over for small cracks and other damage that could leak battery acid.
