Your car is not starting and you have checked everything to make sure all switches are off and nothing is draining power. You have discovered that your car battery has decided to call it quits, so you purchase yourself a brand new one from your local dealer. What do you do with your old battery? Battery disposal is tricky. Did you know that by law you cannot actually dispose of it with your house hold trash?

Car batteries can be very dangerous if not disposed of properly. The acid within the battery could leak out and cause harm to the environment. Here are some of the ways you can dispose of your car battery safely.

Can they be recycled?

Compared to normal batteries, car batteries have a long-life span. They go through countless number of recharge cycles and tend to hold charge for years. But eventually they run out of juice and need to be replaced. Old batteries can then be recycled and reused. They are broken down and split into different categories; distilled water, acid and plastic.

Taking the battery out

Taking the battery out of the car carefully is important as it is generally heavier than it looks and can be dangerous if dropped.

First, visually check the top of the battery for any leaks of damages that could put your safety at risk.
Disconnect the battery and unbolt any clamps that hold the battery.
Now you can take the battery out of the engine bay ensuring that you are using appropriate protection against any harm.
Visually check the rest of the battery to ensure there are no leaks that could not only effect you but the environment.
If the battery is damaged or leaking stop what you are doing and get a professional to come and dispose of the battery properly.
If the battery is in good condition, then ensure you keep it up right at all times and out of the reach of children ready for transport.

Recycling the old car battery

Old car battery disposal can be tricky. Not all places will accept car batteries as it takes dedicated equipment and a team of specialists to break down a battery properly. If done incorrectly, it can be dangerous and very harmful to the environment. Landfills will not take your old batteries unless they have gone through a long process of being treated. So your best and easiest option is to recycle them.

Contact a waste removal company like us, who can deal with all your waste, whether its electrical waste or general waste. We can take your battery and recycle it. For your piece of mind we will provide you with a transfer note so nothing can come back to you.

Take a look at the London City Waste Clearance website or call LCWC for your car battery disposal.