How to Safely Dispose of & Recycle Your Car Battery
- by Joe Weber - updated on 10/12/2026
Key Takeaways / TL;DR
- It's Illegal to Trash Car Batteries: Municipal trash and curbside recycling bins cannot accept car batteries because of toxic heavy metals and corrosive sulfuric acid.
- Nearly 100% Recyclable: Up to 99% of a lead-acid car battery (including the lead, plastic, and acid) can be recovered and used to make new batteries.
- Free & Convenient Drop-Off: You can drop off your old car or truck battery at any of our 700+ Batteries Plus locations for free, even if you bought it somewhere else.
- Earn Core Charge Credits: Returning your old battery when you buy a new one helps offset the core charge fee on your purchase.
- Commercial Solutions Available: Fleet managers and local businesses can use Batteries Plus business accounts for bulk battery and lighting recycling programs.
When your car battery reaches the end of its life (usually after three to five years), knowing how to properly handle and recycle it is essential. Car batteries contain hazardous chemicals that require careful handling, but the good news is that automotive batteries are actually among the most recycled consumer products in the world.
Whether you are replacing a dead battery in your driveway or cleaning out your garage, here is everything you need to know about safe car battery disposal and recycling.
Can You Throw Away Car and Truck Batteries in the Trash?
No, you cannot throw car batteries into your regular household trash or recycling bin.
Car and truck batteries contain toxic heavy metals and dangerous chemicals. A standard lead-acid battery holds around 18 pounds of lead and about one gallon of corrosive, lead-contaminated sulfuric acid.
If tossed into a landfill, these materials can leak into the soil and local groundwater over time, contaminating nearby waterways and posing serious risks to public health and the environment. Because of these safety hazards, throwing away car batteries with regular household garbage is illegal in almost every state.
Can Car Batteries Be Recycled?
Yes! In fact, lead-acid car batteries are almost completely recyclable.
When processed at an EPA-certified recycling facility, nearly every part of a car battery gets reclaimed and repurposed:
- Lead: Melted down, purified, and reused to build brand-new battery plates.
- Plastic Case: The polypropylene plastic case is washed, melted into pellets, and molded into fresh battery covers and cases.
- Sulfuric Acid: Neutralized into clean water or converted into sodium sulfate, a compound commonly used to make laundry detergent and glass.
Because these raw materials are so reusable, recycling your old vehicle battery directly fuels the supply chain for new batteries, conserving natural resources and reducing manufacturing waste.
Where Can You Recycle Old Car Batteries?
Since municipal waste management teams cannot collect hazardous items at the curb, car batteries have to be brought to specialized drop-off spots, like household hazardous waste collection events or authorized retail locations.
Recycle Your Battery at Batteries Plus
Batteries Plus recycles around 52 million pounds of lead-acid batteries every single year.
We make the process simple and hassle-free. Just bring your used automotive battery to any of our 700+ store locations nationwide. Our team will safely take the battery off your hands and send it to EPA-certified processors for proper recycling.
Need to find your nearest location?
Use our Batteries Plus Store Locator to locate a store near you, check hours, or ask about specific localized recycling options.
How Much Does Car Battery Recycling Cost?
At Batteries Plus, recycling your old car or truck battery is 100% free.
On top of that, if you are purchasing a replacement battery, returning your old one lets you avoid or get a refund on the standard battery core charge—a regulatory deposit built into battery sales to encourage responsible recycling.
Commercial & Fleet Battery Recycling for Businesses
If you manage a company fleet, automotive shop, or commercial facility, Batteries Plus offers custom Business Account Recycling Programs to simplify your operations:
- Bulk recycling services for batteries and lighting
- Volume discount pricing on replacement batteries
- Dedicated local advisors and flexible delivery options
What Else Can You Recycle at Batteries Plus?
We recycle a lot more than just standard car and truck batteries. Depending on your local store's capabilities and state regulations, Batteries Plus locations accept a wide variety of battery types and lighting products:
- Household & Rechargeable Batteries: AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, Lithium-ion, NiMH, and NiCd.
- Specialty Vehicle Batteries: Marine, RV, motorcycle, powersports, and lawnmower batteries.
- Electronics & Equipment: Laptop batteries, cell phone batteries, UPS backup batteries, and power tool battery packs.
- Lighting Products: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, LED bulbs, and ballasts. (Note: Small recycling fees may apply for certain bulb types and specialty chemistries depending on local state laws).
Learn more about the batteries that you can recycle at Batteries Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to have purchased my car battery from Batteries Plus to recycle it there?
A: No. We accept car batteries for free recycling no matter where you originally bought them. Simply bring your old battery into any Batteries Plus store and our team will take care of the rest.
Q: How should I transport an old car battery safely?
A: Keep the battery upright at all times so acidic fluid cannot leak out. Place it inside a plastic tote or leak-proof container in your trunk or back seat, making sure it will not tip over or slide around while you drive. Avoid placing heavy items on top of it.
Q: What is a car battery core charge?
A: A core charge is a deposit fee applied when you buy a new battery. When you return your old battery (the "core") to the store, that fee is refunded back to you. This system encourages battery recycling and keeps dangerous materials out of local landfills.
Q: Can AGM car batteries be recycled?
A: Yes. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) automotive batteries are recyclable, though they go through different processing steps than traditional flooded lead-acid batteries. Bring them to your local Batteries Plus store for proper handling.
Ready to Dispose of Your Old Battery? We've Got You Covered!
Proper car battery disposal is about more than just following local laws; it protects local ecosystems and supports sustainable manufacturing.
Whether you bought your battery from us years ago, picked it up from another retailer, or just found an old battery sitting in your garage, Batteries Plus is your convenient recycling destination. Bring your old car or truck battery to any of our 700+ stores nationwide, and our team will gladly take it off your hands for free.
If you need a replacement battery while you are in the store, we carry top-quality automotive batteries from trusted brands like Duracell, Optima, and X2Power, along with free battery testing and professional installation on most vehicle models.