How to Dispose of a Car Battery

Where to Dispose of a Car Battery

Take the used lead-acid battery to an auto-parts store — AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto Parts or NAPA all accept them for free recycling, and most don't require a purchase. Walmart Auto Care Centers also take them. You can also use a scrap-metal yard, a dedicated lead-acid battery recycler, or your county's household hazardous waste program. Daily drop-off limits sometimes apply (for example, O'Reilly caps it around 5 per day). Note that the Call2Recycle drop-boxes you see in stores do NOT take car batteries — they're for rechargeable and small household batteries.

The Core Charge Explained

When you buy a new car battery, the retailer usually adds a refundable deposit called a "core charge." You get it back when you return your old battery — which both saves you money and guarantees the old one gets recycled. A core charge can be applied in all 50 states and is required by law in more than 30. Amounts vary by state and store, commonly in the $5-$22 range (for example, Wisconsin law sets a $10 deposit). Some stores also give a small gift card or store credit (often advertised as up to about $10) for bringing in a battery you didn't buy there — confirm the current offer at the counter.

Never Put a Car Battery in the Trash

A car battery must never go in your household trash or curbside recycling bin. It contains lead and corrosive sulfuric acid, is regulated as hazardous (universal) waste, and landfilling or incinerating lead-acid batteries is banned in many states. Recycling is free at most auto-parts stores and recovers roughly 99% of the battery — the lead, plastic case and acid are all reused.

Other Battery Types

Motorcycle, marine (boat), RV and golf-cart batteries are also lead-acid and are recycled the same way — at auto-parts stores and lead-acid recyclers. Lithium-ion and electric-vehicle batteries are different and more hazardous: never put them in the trash or curbside bin, as they can catch fire. Recycle those through certified battery or electronics recyclers, and route EV packs through the dealer, manufacturer or a specialized recycler.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I dispose of a car battery?

Take it to an auto-parts store (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto, NAPA) or a Walmart Auto Care Center — they recycle lead-acid batteries free, usually with no purchase required. You can also use a scrap yard, a lead-acid recycler, or your county household hazardous waste program. Never put it in the trash.

Does AutoZone or O'Reilly recycle car batteries for free?

Yes — AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto and NAPA all take used lead-acid batteries for free recycling, and most don't require a purchase. Some also give a small gift card or store credit (often up to about $10) for a battery you didn't buy there; the amount varies by store and promotion, so confirm at the counter.

What is a battery core charge?

It's a refundable deposit added when you buy a new battery, returned to you when you hand over your old one for recycling. It can be charged in all 50 states and is required by law in 30+. Amounts vary — commonly $5-$22 (Wisconsin's law sets $10). Return windows (often 30-45 days) vary by store.

Can a car battery go in the trash?

No. It contains lead and sulfuric acid, is hazardous waste, and landfilling lead-acid batteries is banned in many states. Recycle it instead — it's free at most auto-parts stores and about 99% of the battery is recovered and reused. See our battery recycling guide for all battery types.

How do I dispose of motorcycle, marine or lithium batteries?

Motorcycle, marine, RV and golf-cart batteries are lead-acid, so recycle them like a car battery at auto-parts stores. Lithium-ion and EV batteries are different — never trash them (fire risk); take them to a certified battery/electronics recycler, and route EV packs through the dealer or manufacturer.