Car batteries - both lead-acid batteries and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries used for hybrid vehicles - eventually wear down and need replacing. But getting rid of an old car battery once you get a new one isn’t quite as simple as throwing the old one away in the trash. Because of the environmental health consequences, irresponsibly throwing a car battery in a trashcan or dumpster could subject you to serious fines or penalties.

Old car batteries - especially lead-acid batteries - contain a lot of toxic chemicals which, if let to simply rot in the ground, will contaminate the soil with lead, chemicals, acids, and non-biodegradable plastics.

Lead is a particularly harmful element that is not only highly toxic but also very difficult to clean up, and it can have lasting effects on the environment for many years after contamination. It is particularly worrisome for children in that it can cause devastating damage to developing nervous systems and irreparable brain damage.

Each lead-acid car battery contains about 20 pounds of lead - which is a lot, and is quite valuable as well. We need lead to produce wind turbines, cell phone towers, and of course, more car batteries. Because of the demand, lead-acid batteries can be recycled, and in some cases, you can get paid for your efforts.

Always remember to dispose of your car batteries responsibly, and never throw them in the trash or a dumpster. Follow the steps below for some ideas on how to properly dispose of your old car battery.

Part 1 of 7: How a battery is designed

When you car is running, your battery is receiving an electrical charge from the alternator that is stored as chemical energy. A car battery is a set of lead plates and lead dioxide plates in a plastic case. They are arranged in cells with one lead and one lead dioxide plate in each.

The battery is filled with a liquid that conducts the electrical energy that forms, known as an electrolyte. In most batteries, it is a strong sulfuric acid electrolyte.

A chemical reaction occurs between the lead plate, the lead dioxide plate, and the sulfuric acid where electrical energy is produced.

Typically each battery cell produces two volts of electricity, so in a standard 12-volt electrical system, there are six cells used in the battery.

When a battery is connected to a vehicle’s electrical system, it can provide years of service before needing to be replaced.

第7部分：如何分辨何时需要更换汽车电池

汽车电池的平均寿命为三到五年。那只是平均时间表，因此您的汽车电池可以持续更长的时间甚至更短的时间。几件事可能认为您的电池故障包括：

• A cracked battery case
• A bulging, frozen battery
• A battery with the cell covers missing or broken
• A depleted battery that won’t accept a charge

If you find your battery is leaking fluid or is bulging from being frozen, it should be replaced immediately. If the covers on your battery that prevent fluid from spilling out are missing or damaged, discard the battery if replacement caps are not available from your local auto parts store.

If your battery is depleted, it can be recharged frequently and continue to be used. In some cases where the battery has been charged and still does not provide enough power to operate your car, it will need to be discarded. You can also bring your battery into many auto parts stores where they will perform a load test to check your battery’s condition.

• Tip: A load test checks the battery’s charge level as well as the amount of amperage it maintains while under load. Essentially it simulates the draw on your battery when you try to start your car.

If your battery is deemed faulty, is damaged, or fails a load test, it will need to be replaced.

• Warning: Car batteries are filled with sulfuric acid which is highly corrosive. It also contains several lead plates which are not only harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly but are harmful to you if you come in contact with them directly. Do not attempt to open a car battery.

• Warning: Always wear heavy protective gloves when handling car batteries.

• Warning: If the internal fluid in the battery leaks onto your car’s upholstery or carpeting, it will cause discoloration and will eat into the surface before it becomes neutralized.

为了正确处理汽车电池，需要将其带到可以代表您安全处理汽车电池的位置。

Part 3 of 7: Bring the battery to a recycling depot

Step 1: Finding recycling location。Use your local phone book, or use an online search engine such as Google to find locations near you that accept car batteries for recycling.

Sometimes your local dump or department of sanitation will have a recycling program for hazardous or toxic materials, but call and make sure they take used batteries before bringing it in. You can’t simply throw the battery in your recycling bin.

If you do a quick search online, some recycling programs offer pick-up services for certain hazardous materials. AAA has a great system for recycling old batteries called theAAA Great Battery Roundup program。

If you have a NiMH battery for a hybrid vehicle, check the label on the battery or call the car manufacturer to learn about proper recycling methods. In either scenario, with a lead-acid battery or NiMH battery, you might get paid for recycling.

步骤2：确认他们拿着汽车电池。Call ahead to confirm they accept car batteries before bringing it in.

Step 3: Secure the battery in your vehicle。Place the battery in your vehicle’s trunk, hatch, or on the floor on a safe, disposable item. Use a section of plywood, a heavy plastic lid, or a metal item like a garbage can lid. Make sure it won’t slide around to prevent the heavy battery from damaging your car or other items around it.

Step 4: Check in with attendant。当您到达电池回收仓库时，请与值班的服务员联系。通知他们，您希望处置汽车电池。

Step 5: Have your battery recycled。Have the attendant safely remove the old car battery from the back of your vehicle.

• Tip: Some recyclers will pay you for the car battery. Check with the service you are using to determine if you can expect to receive anything for your old car battery.

Part 4 of 7: Take the battery to a parts store

步骤1：将电池带到汽车商店或零件商店。回收汽车电池的最常见方法可能是将其带到您当地的汽车商店或汽车零件商店，在那里出售汽车电池。

When you purchase a new battery bring the old one with you.

Make sure it’s wrapped in thick plastic to safeguard it from leaking chemicals and contaminating the environment, and ruining your car’s interior in transport.

You will receive a “core charge,” and you may receive a substantial sum in return for bringing in a used car battery.

The best part about this method is that they completely take it off your hands so you no longer have to deal with it.

第7部分：将其退还给零售商

To replace the old car battery that you are discarding, you’ve likely had to purchase a new battery already. Check your receipt to see if there was a core charge assessed when you purchased the new battery.

• Tip: A core charge is assessed to on certain parts like batteries where the old part has value to the retailer, either to be recycled or to be rebuilt. Core charges are assessed on water pumps, alternators, starter motors, and several other automotive components.

Step 1: Bring in your battery。Bring the old battery to your battery retailer or auto parts store. Use safe handling procedures that include protective gloves.

Step 2: Provide receipt for core charge。如果您已经在新电池上支付了核心费用，请与旧电池一起向柜台人员展示收据。

Step 3: Collect your core charge。Collect your core charge back, and leave the old battery with the counter staff.

Part 6 of 7: Sell it to a scrap metal depot

Scrap metal services or recyclers will buy the old car battery from you. This is especially helpful in situations where you’ve misplaced your receipt for your new battery and cannot collect your core charge back from the battery retailer.

Step 1: Research online。上网并研究您所在地区的废金属回收商。

If the recyclers have a website, check if there is a page that contains their current rates.

Call recyclers near you to check rates if they aren’t posted online.

步骤2：选择服务。选择附近的服务，该服务最适合您的旧汽车电池。

Step 3: Transport the battery。Transport the old car battery safely to your chosen scrap metal recycler, making sure not to use protective gloves when you handle it.

Step 4: Determine the location for battery drop-off。接近废金属回收器的工作人员，并通知他们您有一个汽车电池进行回收。他们将指示正确的地方带电池，并为此付钱。

Part 7 of 7: Have the battery replaced

Step 1: Have a certified mobile mechanic replace your battery for you。A mechanic can come and take your old battery, installing a new one in its place.

此方法可能是最方便的选择。您可以拥有一位经过认证的移动机械师，例如来自Mehemenic的一名机械师，来到您的家庭或办公室万博体育入口replace your battery for youand dispose of the old one properly.

However you choose to dispose of your old car battery, make sure you do it properly with no risk of environmental or health repercussions. Use one of the methods above to ensure that your battery will be safely handled.