When you need to dispose of old car batteries, you cannot take them out with the household trash because they contain lead and sulfuric acid, which are toxic. Instead, the best way to get rid of them is by taking them to a recycling center. This process provides advantages for both you and the environment, and below are several of the most significant.

Why Should You Recycle Car Batteries?

1. Receive Cash

When you have a dead battery, you have two options for getting rid of it: taking it to a hazardous waste facility or a recycling center. While a hazardous waste facility may handle the battery for free, a quality salvage yard will pay you for the component. This is because the materials it contains are valuable, and they will extract them and sell them to manufacturers. This means you can walk away with extra cash for your recyclables.

2. Comply With Regulations

In 1996, a federal law was passed with the goal of gradually phasing out mercury-containing batteries. It also aimed to minimize the environmental impact of other car batteries by forbidding people from throwing them away and putting them in a landfill. If the police or an environmental agency discover that you disposed of an auto battery improperly, you could face legal fines and penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. In comparison, getting paid to recycle it is much better.

3. Help the Environment

Recycling the battery keeps hazardous waste and toxins out of landfills, which prevents them from breaking down outside. This means the ground, air, and water won't absorb these contaminants, helping protect the local ecosystem. This process also reduces the demand for nonrenewable raw materials, such as silver, lead, steel, and lithium, allowing manufacturers to reuse them instead of relying on new mining. Plus, reusing the materials creates less waste than processing raw materials.

If you have car batteries that you need to recycle, contact Miamitown Auto Parts & Recycling in Cleves, OH. This recycling center has been serving residents throughout the Tri-State area for over 50 years, and they pay competitive rates for scrap metal, junk cars, and old batteries. They also carry an expansive inventory of used auto parts. Visit them online for more information about their services, and call (513) 353-1111 to speak with a team member about any questions.