How to Dispose of Batteries Properly

Merely throwing a car battery in the garbage is terrible for the environment and can be illegal. A car battery is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly to avoid leaking toxic chemicals into the environment. As well as lead, a car battery contains strong acids that could enter the water supply if you throw it into a landfill with other garbage. One should know how to dispose of batteries safely.

1) Remove the battery from the car or truck safely

First, the battery has to be removed from the car safely. Even removing the battery from the car can be dangerous unless proper safety equipment is used. An old battery can leak acid; therefore eye protection is a must. It is also a good idea to wear gloves while taking the old battery out of the car. You also have to avoid electric shock when removing the battery from the car. Make sure that the battery is fully disconnected before you attempt to remove it from the vehicle. You will have to use a wrench to remove one or more long bolts before the car battery can be removed. The car manual can help you if you are having trouble removing the battery.

2) Make sure that the battery can be transported safely

A battery must be carried upright at all times. A car battery that is carried upside down can easily leak. A car battery can sometimes be damaged even if the car was not in an accident. You must inspect the battery to make sure that there are no leaks. After the battery has been scrutinized, it should be wrapped in plastic before it is taken to be disposed of. If it is not wrapped in plastic, you may get your car dirty when transporting it to the recycling center.

3) Find out whether or not your battery can be sold before you give it away for free

Some recycling centers are willing to pay for used car batteries that can be made into new products. If it is worth your time, you may want to find out whether or not any of the nearby recycling centers will offer you any money. Some individuals may also be willing to buy old batteries. If you think it is worth your time, you can quite likely get a bit of money for your batteries.

4) Take your battery to be recycled

As well as recycling centers, many other businesses will dispose of or buy your used batteries. Walmart, for example, will give you a discount on your next battery if you drop an old battery off before you purchase it. Other businesses such as Autozone are also willing to do this. Knowing where one can get the best deal is part of knowing how to dispose of batteries properly. Sometimes cash might be offered, but you are more likely to be offered gift cards and discounts. If you strongly prefer cash, you might be better off at recycling centers than at other businesses.