How to Recycle Used Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead acid batteries power all types of conveyances, from cars to boats. They can also power emergency lights and offer back up power for hospitals and even the phone company. While they offer an efficient and stable power supply, they do contain metals and chemicals that can be dangerous to the environment. Recycling lead acid batteries helps the environment, saves energy, and helps conserve natural resources. According to Lead Battery Recycling World, 96 percent of all lead acid batteries purchased are later recycled. Environmental Health and Safety Online and the Environmental Protection Agency put the number closer to 90 percent.

Instructions

How to Recycle a Lead Acid Battery

• 1

  Find a retailer. One of the easiest ways to recycle an automotive lead acid battery is to find a retailer who sells them. Most car parts stores will take your old battery and recycle it for you. Some may even give you a rebate on a new one. Department stores like Walmart and Sears will also recycle your old lead acid batteries.

• 2

  Find your local household hazardous waste site. For non-automotive lead acid batteries, you can go to a household hazardous waste site. Many communities have special collection days for household hazardous waste. You can find out if your community has such a program by calling your local Chamber of Commerce office.

• 3

  Check the Internet. Many resources exist online to help you find a battery recycling center. Some websites offer a recycling center locator where you can enter your ZIP code and get a list of all the recycling centers and retailers who recycle near you.

• 4

  Contact a national recycling center. Some national recycling centers will send you a safe recycling kit in which you can pack your batteries and send them back. They then deconstruct and resell the parts from your old batteries.