Every car eventually needs a new battery, and every junk car still has one under the hood (most of the time). Old batteries can’t simply be tossed in the trash, but they’re also one of the easiest car parts to recycle. In many cases, you can even get something back for them.
Here’s what to know about car battery recycling, what affects a battery’s value, and how to handle them without hurting yourself.
Why Car Battery Recycling Matters
Most gas-powered cars use a 12-volt lead-acid battery. Inside are lead plates and sulfuric acid in a plastic case. All three components can be recovered:
- Lead is melted down and reused, often in new batteries.
- Plastic from the case is cleaned and turned into new plastic products.
- Acid is neutralized or processed for reuse.
Lead-acid batteries have a well-established recycling system, partly because they’re valuable to recyclers and partly because throwing them away is harmful. According to the EPA, a single lead-acid battery can contain up to 18 pounds of lead and about a gallon of corrosive, lead-contaminated sulfuric acid. The EPA says not to put them in the trash or curbside recycling bins.
Many states have laws that prohibit putting lead-acid batteries in household trash and require retailers to accept them. The details vary by state, so check your local rules.
Is an Old Car Battery Worth Money?
A used battery has some value, mainly because of the lead. It’s a modest amount, not a windfall. What you get depends on:
- Lead prices, which go up and down
- Who’s buying. Scrap yards, auto parts stores, and recyclers each set their own rates or policies
- Battery size and weight. Larger batteries contain more lead
- Local rules and programs
Core Charges
When you buy a new battery, many retailers add a core charge, a refundable deposit that encourages you to bring the old one back. If you return your old battery, either at purchase or within a set time afterward, you get the deposit back. Some states require this kind of deposit system.
Often the easiest way to get value from an old battery is simply to bring it with you when you buy the new one.
What About Batteries in Junk Cars?
If you’re junking your car, you usually have two options:
- Leave the battery in. Many junkyards and salvage buyers expect it and handle recycling themselves, as part of the depollution step described in what happens to junk cars. Removing it can slightly lower some offers.
- Pull it and recycle it yourself. This makes sense if the battery is new or nearly new and you can use it in another vehicle, or if your buyer says it doesn’t matter.
Ask your buyer before you remove it. For more on what to pull and what to leave, read should you sell parts before junking your car.
What About Hybrid and EV Batteries?
Hybrids and electric vehicles have large high-voltage battery packs in addition to (or instead of) a regular 12-volt battery. These packs are completely different from a standard car battery.
- They carry dangerous voltage. Never attempt to remove or open one yourself.
- They require specialized handling by trained technicians and recyclers.
- Their value varies widely depending on chemistry, condition, and demand for used or refurbished packs.
If you’re junking a hybrid or EV, tell the buyer up front so they can plan for safe handling.
How to Remove a Car Battery Safely
If you decide to take out a standard 12-volt battery, follow these steps.
Gear Up
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Acid-resistant or nitrile gloves
- Clothes that cover your arms
Steps
- Turn off the car and remove the key. Let the engine cool.
- Find the battery. Most are under the hood, but some are in the trunk or under a seat.
- Disconnect the negative terminal first. It’s usually marked with a minus sign (–) and often has a black cable.
- Then disconnect the positive terminal, marked with a plus sign (+), often red.
- Remove the hold-down bracket that keeps the battery in place.
- Lift straight up using the handle if there is one. Batteries are heavier than they look, so lift with your legs.
Reconnecting works in the opposite order: positive first, then negative.
Safety Cautions
- Never let a metal tool touch both terminals at once. It can create sparks, burns, or even cause the battery to rupture.
- Keep flames and sparks away. Batteries can release hydrogen gas, which is flammable.
- Watch for leaks or cracks. If the case is damaged or leaking, avoid touching the fluid. Acid can burn skin and damage clothing.
- If acid contacts your skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention as needed.
- Keep it upright. Tipping a battery can spill acid.
- Some cars need extra steps. Certain vehicles may lose radio codes or computer settings, and a few have specific procedures. Check your owner’s manual.
How to Store and Transport an Old Battery
- Keep it upright in a sturdy plastic tub or box.
- Store it in a cool, dry, ventilated spot away from kids and pets.
- Don’t stack anything heavy on top.
- In your vehicle, secure it so it can’t tip or slide.
Where to Recycle a Car Battery
Common drop-off options include:
- Auto parts stores, many of which accept old batteries
- Scrap yards and metal recyclers, which may pay by weight
- Junkyards and salvage yards, including many in our junkyard directory
- Service stations and repair shops
- Local household hazardous waste programs, which the EPA lists alongside battery retailers as a drop-off option
Call ahead to confirm they accept batteries and ask about any payment or refund.
For a look at the other parts that carry value on a junk car, see which car parts are worth the most at a junkyard.
FAQ
Can I throw a car battery in the trash? No. Lead-acid batteries contain toxic lead and corrosive acid, and many states prohibit putting them in the trash. Take them to a recycler or retailer instead.
How do I get my core charge back? Bring your old battery to the store where you bought the new one, either at the time of purchase or within the window they give you. Keep your receipt.
Should I leave the battery in my junk car? Often yes, since many buyers handle recycling and expect it. Ask your buyer before removing it.
Is a dead battery still recyclable? Yes. Dead or not, the lead, plastic, and acid can all be recovered.
Sources
- Used Household Batteries (EPA) — lead and acid content, no trash or curbside bins, and retailer or household hazardous waste drop-off
- Universal Waste (EPA) — lead-acid batteries fall under their own federal management rules
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