Car batteries
Car batteries are classed as hazardous waste and must not go in your household recycling or landfill bins for safety and environmental reasons.
Disposal options
- Car lead-acid batteries are covered by a product stewardship scheme operated by the Association for the Battery Recycling Industry (ABRI). Find your closest drop-off point on the ABRI page.
- EV Lithium-ion batteries, which are the main batteries to power an electric motor used in Electric Vehicles (EVs), hybrids and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), should be recycled and transported by specialist recyclers. Please contact your auto electrician or dealership to discuss safe disposal options if your EV battery requires disposal.
- Most car workshops and scrap metal dealers will accept used lead-acid batteries for recycling but call to confirm first. Household quantities can be dropped off at:
Why?
Used car batteries and other lead acid batteries contain lead, lead compounds, and/or sulphuric acid, all of which are hazardous. Car batteries can be re-conditioned or recycled into new products made from the lead, sulphuric acid and polypropylene. Recycling of these batteries uses less energy than refining primary ore and removes lead from the environment.
Batteries are classed as hazardous waste and can cause a fire hazard. They should be disposed of correctly.