How to dispose of a car battery in the UK (Safely and legally)

A dead car battery isn’t just rubbish; it’s hazardous. Most car batteries contain corrosive acid and heavy metals, so they mustn’t go in your household bin, a skip or general waste. 

The good news? 

Disposing of one safely in the UK is straightforward once you know where to go. We explain exactly where to take it and how to transport it safely, without leaking, shorting, or getting turned away at the tip. 

How to dispose of a car battery: Quick answer 

1. Keep the battery upright, avoid tipping it. 

2. Cover terminals to prevent short circuits. 

3. Put it in a sturdy box or tray in the boot so it can’t slide around. 

4. Take it to: A council HWRC (the tip), a garage fitting a new battery, or an automotive retailer with take-back. 

5. Never put it in a wheelie bin or skip (it’s hazardous waste and illegal to dispose of with household waste).  

Why you can’t just throw a car battery away

Car batteries are classed as hazardous waste 

Car batteries can contain acid (which can burn skin and damage surfaces) and heavy metals (which can harm the environment if they leak). That’s why, in the UK, car batteries are classed as hazardous waste and by law must not be disposed of with household waste. 

In plain terms: chucking one in the bin isn’t just risky, it’s the wrong way to dispose of them entirely. 

Regulations for car battery disposal 

Battery disposal and recycling are regulated under UK rules, including the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009. 

What it means for you is simple: don’t try to get rid of it yourself. Instead, you need to take it to a place that can handle it properly. From there, it’ll be collected and treated by the right people to be recycled safely, without leaks, contamination or fire risk from accidental shorting. 

Where to dispose of a car battery 

1. Your local Household Waste Recycling Centre 

For most people, the tip is the simplest drop-off point. It’s usually free for residents, and many HWRCs have a clearly marked container for car and lead-acid batteries. 

A couple of practical things to know: 

• Some councils run booking systems, or check your vehicle registration on arrival. 

• Some may ask for proof of address/ID, especially to stop out-of-area visits. 

Tip: Search for your council car batteries HWRC, and follow the guidance given for your nearest site. 

2. A garage (especially if they’re fitting your new battery)

If you’re replacing a battery anyway, this is usually the lowest-effort option. The garage removes the old one and sends it straight into their recycling route. Several local authority recycling guides explicitly recommend asking the fitter to take the old battery. 

It’s also the option least likely to go wrong, without arriving at a store and realising you need a booking or ID. 

3. Automotive retailers with take-back 

Many automotive retailers offer battery recycling/take-back, which can be a handy option if you’re already popping in to buy parts or get a battery fitted. An example of this: Halfords state they can recycle old car batteries through an approved waste disposal company. 

Tip: keep the battery upright in a box or tray in your boot, and cover the terminals; it makes the handover safer and easier. 

4. Scrap metal merchants 

If you’ve got a scrap yard nearby, this can be another practical way to dispose of a car battery. Some merchants will buy lead-acid batteries because there’s a recoverable material value (so you might get a small amount). Just don’t bank on any specific payment; it varies by merchant and market conditions. 

If you’re taking this route, choose a reputable operator; waste batteries are regulated, and you want them handled properly. 

5. What about businesses/fleets? 

If you’re disposing of batteries as a business, the simplest approach is to use a licensed waste carrier or collection service and keep the right duty-of-care paperwork (such as waste transfer notes). This isn’t legal advice, it’s just the practical “do-it-properly” version that keeps you covered. 

Also worth knowing: under UK guidance, producers of automotive batteries must collect waste automotive batteries for free from “final holders” such as garages and scrapyards.  

How to prepare and transport an old car battery safely 

Before you move it 

1. Wear gloves. 

Also, wear long sleeves if you’ve got them. Old batteries can have a residue on the casing. 

2. Keep it upright, always. 

Don’t tip it on its side or upside down, that’s how leaks happen. 

3. Give it a quick visual check. 

If you can see cracks, bulging, damp patches, or crusty deposits, assume it could leak and treat it as higher risk. 

4. Keep metal away from the terminals. 

Don’t rest spanners, jump leads, or loose change on the top of them; terminals can short if bridged. 

5. Secure it so it can’t slide. 

Put it in a sturdy box or a leak-proof tray in the boot, then wedge it so it won’t move around in the corners. 

What not to do 

• Don’t drain the acid or try to empty it; it’s hazardous and can make things worse. 

• Don’t dismantle or smash it open; you can expose yourself to corrosive electrolyte and heavy-metal contamination. 

• Don’t store it indoors near heat, flames or sparks. Keep it somewhere cool, upright, and out of the way until you can drop it off. 

If the battery is leaking

Treat this as urgent, rather than a “do it later” job. 

• Isolate it: Keep kids and pets away, and avoid putting it on concrete, paving, carpet, or any surface you care about. 

• Avoid skin contact: Don’t handle the wet areas with your bare hands. If you do get anything on you, rinse with plenty of clean water and seek medical advice if irritation persists. 

• Contain it properly: Place the battery upright in a leak-proof box so any drips will stay contained. 

• Go to a proper drop-off point: When you arrive, ask the staff for guidance for the safest handover for a leaking unit. 

What happens when a car battery is recycled 

Most standard car batteries are lead-acid, and they’re among the most widely recycled because the materials are valuable and easy to recover. 

In simple terms, specialist facilities break the batteries down and separate the main components, typically the lead, the plastic casing, and the electrolyte (acid), so each can be treated and used again. 

You’ll often see a figure of up to 95% quoted for recovery: Halfords says its approved waste disposal partner can recover up to 95% of the lead from car batteries, and that recycled materials can go on to become new batteries and other products. 

Environmental benefits 

Recycling matters because it: 

• Cuts down on mining and raw material demand. Lead and plastics can be reused rather than sourced from scratch. 

• Reduces contamination risk by keeping acid and heavy metals in controlled recycling systems rather than allowing them to leak into soil or water. 

• Helps lower the footprint of new batteries by keeping recovered materials in circulation. 

Frequently asked questions 

Can I put a car battery in my household bin? 

No, car batteries are classed as hazardous waste and must not be disposed of with household waste. They should be taken via a recycling route, such as your local Household Waste Recycling Centre, a garage, or a retailer's take-back. 

Can I take a car battery to the tip? 

Yes, in the UK, your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will usually accept car (lead-acid) batteries, typically in a dedicated container. Check your council’s HWRC page online for booking and ID rules, as well as any site restrictions. 

Do garages have to take my old battery? 

If a garage is fitting a new battery, they will normally take the old one as part of the job. 

If you’re not having work done, garages aren’t guaranteed to accept walk-in batteries; it’s best to ring ahead. 

What if it’s leaking? 

Treat it as urgent if your car battery is leaking. 

• Keep people and pets away and avoid skin contact. 

• Keep it upright and place it in a leak-proof box, so drips are contained. 

• Take it to a dedicated disposal site, as we’ve listed above, and tell the staff that it’s leaking when you arrive. 

Can I get money for an old car battery? 

Sometimes, yes. Scrap metal merchants may pay a small amount for lead-acid batteries because the lead has value. How much you’ll get varies by merchant, location, and market prices, so don’t count on a set figure and ring ahead. 

What about hybrid/EV batteries? 

There are usually two different types of batteries involved: 

• The 12V battery (in many hybrids/EVs) is handled much like a normal car battery, so the HWRC/garage/retailer routes can often apply. 

• The high-voltage traction battery is different. UK guidance classifies batteries used for propulsion in an electric or hybrid vehicle as industrial batteries, and they should be handled through the manufacturer/dealer or an authorised specialist route, not via DIY removal or transport. 

How should I store it before disposal? 

Keep it simple and safety first: 

• Store it upright on a stable surface. 

• Keep it cool, dry and ventilated, away from flames, sparks and heat sources. 

• Cover the terminals to reduce the risk of short circuits. 

• Keep it out of reach of children and pets. 

• Don’t keep it longer than necessary; remove it as soon as possible through one of the proper disposal methods. 

Mistakes to avoid 

• Putting it in a skip or a wheelie bin 

• Carrying it on seats or unsecured 

• Leaving it to leak in the garage 

Need a replacement battery? 

If your old battery has reached the end of the road, you mustn’t just bin it. Keep it upright, cover the terminals, secure it in the boot, and drop it off at an HWRC, a garage, or a retailer that can handle hazardous waste properly. That way, you can recycle it safely. 

When you’re ready to replace it, Battery2U makes it easy to get the right one without guesswork. Use our battery finder and choose from a wide range of car, leisure, marine, HGV, and other batteries. 

Find your replacement battery at Battery2U, order online, and get back on the road. And remember to recycle your old one.