Your car’s Lead Acid battery is a marvel, with technology that dates back to the 1850s. But the chemistry and components that make it work — like corrosive acid and lead — can also present potential hazards if improperly handled. When it’s time to dispose of your battery, it’s important to do so in a way that ensures safety, protects the environment and complies with recycling regulations.
In this guide, we’ll offer step-by-step instructions on how to handle and dispose of car batteries safely — and answer some frequently asked questions about battery disposal. Our focus will be on Lead Acid car batteries, but read to the end for a brief note on best practices for disposing of lithium EV batteries.
The Danger of Improper Disposal of Batteries
Improperly disposing of spent car batteries poses a significant risk to the environment and the health of people and animals in the vicinity. It’s also illegal in most states. Lead Acid batteries are considered hazardous waste due to their toxic contents and must be managed carefully to avoid dangers like these:
- Pollution. Car batteries are made up of highly corrosive materials. As each component breaks down, batteries can leech toxic substances like lead and sulfuric acid into the ground, eventually polluting water sources.
- Contamination. Corroded, leaking Lead Acid batteries can release fumes and chemicals that pose serious health risks to landfill workers or anyone who comes in contact with the discarded waste.
- Waste. Car batteries contain valuable materials like lead, nickel, cobalt and lithium. Recycling these components can reduce the need for mining and conserve natural resources.
- Climate harm. Improper disposal of batteries can contribute to overall environmental degradation through the release of greenhouse gases and the pollution of soil and water supplies.
Steps for Safe Handling and Battery Storage
For mechanics, retailers or anyone managing a large inventory of car batteries, proper handling and storage practices are critical to ensure the safety of your team and customers. Whether you’re rotating stock, preparing for disposal or storing batteries for future sale, consider these steps to help prevent accidents, maintain product integrity and comply with regulations.
Step 1: Ensure proper ventilation
The battery storage room or area should be equipped with adequate ventilation to prevent the buildup of gases by batteries that can naturally happen, especially during charging.
Step 2: Use proper safety gear
Use personal protective equipment whenever handling batteries, especially when removing or replacing them from cars or processing them for recycling. This includes:
- Eye protection (safety goggles)
- Rubber gloves
- Safety shoes
- Acid-proof clothing
Step 3: Prepare for emergency situations
Install eye wash stations near battery handling areas in case of emergencies. Make sure all employees understand how to use the devices. You should also invest in an acid spill kit in case of accidental battery damage and subsequent spillage of battery electrolyte.
How to Properly Dispose of Car Batteries
When it comes time to dispose of spent batteries, prioritize safety, compliance and environmental responsibility. First, check your local regulations around battery recycling and disposal; these can vary by state. In general, most jurisdictions require car batteries to be recycled rather than discarded as regular waste due to their hazardous materials and highly recyclable components.
Learn more about battery recycling in your state.
The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) establishes regulations for managing hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including Lead Acid batteries, ensuring their safe handling, recycling and disposal to protect human health and the environment.
Car Battery Disposal: Step By Step
Step 1: Store spent batteries safely.
Once batteries are removed from a vehicle, inspect them for leaks, cracks or other damage. Designate a well-ventilated area for battery storage and use leak-proof containers to hold batteries, especially if there is external damage.
Step 2: Train staff in battery safety.
Ensure all staff are trained in safe battery handling practices. Provide PPE and eye wash stations, and make sure everyone on site is aware of what to do if a spill occurs.
Step 3: Prepare for transport.
Batteries should be securely packed in the appropriate containers to prevent spilling or leaking during transit.
Step 4: Don’t throw them out.
Never throw batteries in the trash or landfills. It’s against the law and harmful to the environment.
Step 5: Partner with a battery recycler.
Many battery suppliers and manufacturers offer core recycling programs for free or at a discount when purchasing new batteries. Continental Battery Systems delivers new batteries and picks up cores (old ones) from its retail partners.
How Battery Recycling Benefits the Environment
Lead Acid batteries are among the world’s most recycled consumer products. Not only are about 99% of Lead Acid batteries in the U.S. recycled, but new lead batteries made in the U.S. are composed of more than 80% recycled material.
The closed-loop process that ensures lead batteries’ high rate of recycling is recognized by the World Economic Forum and MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics as the world’s most successful example of a circular economy — featuring the design, production, transportation, recycling and recovery of vehicle batteries.
Why does this matter? Recycling Lead Acid batteries:
- Preserves the environment. Recycling reduces the need to mine new raw materials like lead, conserves natural resources and reduces the environmental impact of extraction.
- Prevents contamination. Recycling keeps toxic substances out of landfills. Lead and battery acid could contaminate soil and water supplies, causing harm to people, animals and the planet.
- Lowers emissions. By minimizing the energy required to produce new batteries from raw materials, recycling cuts back on emissions.
A Note About Lithium
As promised, here’s a brief look at how to properly dispose of lithium batteries. As the EV market worldwide continues to grow, properly handling the batteries that keep these cars powered is critical.
Lithium batteries are efficient, long-lasting and lightweight, making them ideal for EVs. However, they pose unique disposal challenges. As with Lead Acid batteries, improper disposal can result in environmental health and safety hazards.
The EPA outlines the following recommendations for handling end-of-life lithium batteries:
- Provide safety training for employees. Train all staff involved in removing, disassembling or handling batteries to follow safety protocols.
- Isolate battery terminals. Use non-conductive materials like tape or plastic bags to isolate terminals while ensuring labels remain visible.
- Prevent battery damage. Handle batteries carefully to avoid drops or punctures.
- Practice proper storage. Store batteries in a climate-controlled, well-ventilated space away from flammable materials.
- Separate damaged batteries. Keep damaged, affected or recalled batteries in designated containers away from other batteries.
- Install fire detection systems. Make sure storage areas have fire detection and suppression systems.
- Inspect regularly. Conduct frequent visual and thermal inspections to monitor battery conditions.
- Develop an emergency response plan. Coordinate with first responders and have a clear plan for responding to incidents, including evacuation protocols.
Always follow manufacturer guidelines for the safe handling and processing of EV batteries.
Battery Recycling: Frequently Asked Questions
Who can safely dispose of dead car batteries?
Certified recycling centers, automotive retailers and specialized waste facilities can handle car battery disposal and recycling. Continental Battery Systems partners with our retail locations to pick up used batteries and either recondition or recycle them.
Can you throw away a car battery?
No. Car batteries (both lithium and Lead Acid) are considered hazardous waste and are not permitted in landfills. The proper disposal of batteries protects the environment and the health of humans and animals.
Where should you take dead car batteries?
Take dead car batteries to a certified recycling facility or arrange for pickup or take-back programs from the battery manufacturer.
Our Commitment to Battery Safety
Proper disposal of car batteries is critical for the health and safety of people and the planet. We’ve been committed to battery recycling and refurbishment since our earliest days as a battery manufacturer. Today, we recycle more batteries than we sell.
Learn more about our commitment to recycling and find a recycling location near you.
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