The Right Way to Recycle Car Batteries

There comes a time in the life of every car battery when it needs to be retired from use. Modern car batteries have a potentially huge lifespan and are reliable in the extreme, though cannot and will not last forever.

When the time comes to dispose of an old car battery, most motorists aren’t sure where to start. They know tossing it in the trash really isn’t an option, but what’s the right way to recycle car batteries?

The right way is, of course, the responsible way. Given that car batteries are loaded with sulphuric acid and lead, it’s essential to ensure they are removed carefully and disposed of properly.

Here’s a basic overview of what needs to be done when your car’s battery reaches the end of its usable life:

1. Ensure your car’s ignition is turned off and that you’re in a suitably safe place, sheltered from rain if the weather isn’t at its best.

2. Carefully disconnect the negative terminal first, which in most instances will be the black terminal and will always feature a (-) minus symbol.

3. Next, carefully disconnect the positive terminal - usually coloured red and featuring a (+) plus symbol.

4. Once you have disconnected the battery, inspected from top to bottom for any signs of damage or leaks. If you come across anything untoward, it is inadvisable to remove and handling yourself - hire a mechanic to take care of it on your behalf.

5. If the battery seems to be in decent condition, remove the screws and/or bolts needed to loosen the housing that’s holding the battery in place.

6. You can then carefully remove the battery, wearing an appropriate pair of protective gloves to safeguard your skin from any chemicals that may have accumulated on the casing.

7. Take your old car battery to your local recycling centre - most of which are able to accept all types of car batteries at no charge.

8. Take satisfaction in knowing that you’ve done the right thing for the environment, with up to 99% of the components in a battery typically being recycled to make new batteries.

Responsible Car Scrapping and Recycling

If your automotive issues concern more than your battery alone, it may be time to consider scrapping and recycling your car. In which case, we’re standing by to offer you an unbeatable deal and a flexible service package you can count on.

Take My Scrap Car is the region’s leading car scrapping and recycling specialist, collecting and recycling all types of vehicles from across Norfolk. We promise to pay a fair price for every vehicle collected (in accordance with scrap values on the day) and every aspect of the service we provide is 100% free of charge.

Whether ready to go ahead or simply considering scrapping a car, we’ll be delighted to hear from you anytime. Call or e-mail the team at Take My Scrap Car to learn more about our unique car scrapping and recycling service for Norfolk.