Can you recycle car batteries?
Recycling centre battery point, garages, or scrap dealers — lead-acid is valuable and hazardous
Lead-acid car batteries are hazardous (sulphuric acid, lead) but over 90% recyclable, and they're accepted free at every household waste recycling centre, most garages and Halfords when they fit a replacement. Never put one in any bin. Carry it upright in a leak-proof tray; don't let the terminals touch metal.
Tips
- Garages fitting your new battery take the old one
- Transport upright in a plastic crate
- Scrap dealers may even pay for them
Which bin does it go in?
Recycling centre battery point, garages, or scrap dealers — lead-acid is valuable and hazardous
Check booking, proof-of-address and vehicle rules before travelling.
Background: Batteries, vapes & electricals: the fire-risk items.
Also searched as: lead acid batteries, van batteries, leisure batteries.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?