Photo Credit: iStockAn old car battery does not have to sit uselessly in the garage. If you recycle it instead of throwing it away, the materials inside may be used to make another battery, and in some cases, you could get a little cash or store credit for turning it in, Jalopnik noted.Here's what to knowRecycling a used car battery is both safer than sending it to a landfill and highly effective. The outlet said about 80% of the material used in new batteries comes from recycled old ones.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat makes this possible is that old car batteries are extremely recyclable and contain materials worth recovering. Manufacturers have financial reasons to reclaim those contents, which helps support a system where used batteries become raw material for new ones.Electric vehicle batteries have also been recycled in similar ways, with recovered materials already going into new replacement batteries.For drivers, one of the biggest benefits is that the process is often simple. There are several common places to drop off a used battery, and recycling it is often free. Hazardous chemical and item drop-off facilities often accept them, and some metal recycling centers may even pay for the lead inside.Some stores may also offer a direct reward, Jalopnik said. Auto parts chains like O'Reilly Auto Parts and AutoZone may give customers a $10 gift card for bringing in an old car battery for recycling. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe outlet also pointed out that this kind of reward is different from the core charge refund connected to a replacement battery purchase. More backgroundThe main risks come from improperly disposing of old batteries. As Jalopnik noted, traditional car batteries contain hazardous materials, especially lead and sulfuric acid. When one is illegally dumped or left to deteriorate over time, those substances can leak.That contamination can affect people and wildlife. Lead exposure is linked to serious long-term health problems, including neurological damage, and sulfuric acid can burn surfaces while creating added cleanup hazards.If a battery starts leaking, it can also damage nearby tools, storage areas, or even a nearby vehicle. AdvertisementAdvertisementRecycling reduces those risks while also recovering useful materials and cutting demand for newly mined resources. It also lowers the odds that a forgotten battery will end up causing a dangerous mess at home.What can be done?For most people, Jalopnik noted that it's easiest to take an old battery to a local hazardous waste drop-off site or an auto parts store that accepts used batteries.Before taking it anywhere, check the battery carefully. A store or recycling center may reject one that is visibly damaged or actively leaking, so safe handling matters. Keep it upright, secure it during transport, and avoid storing it near anything valuable while you wait to bring it in.If you are already buying a replacement battery, ask ahead of time whether the old one qualifies for a core charge refund, a gift card, or neither. AdvertisementAdvertisementRecycling an old car battery can mean safer disposal, fewer risks around the house, and possibly a bit of cash or store credit. It also allows the battery's materials to be recovered for future batteries.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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