Old lead acid batteries - how do you get rid of them?

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #1 05-01-2010, 08:29 AM

Hi all

After 10 years of living at my current house, I've managed to accumulate 11 or so car batteries from various projects. Most are 700-odd amp cranking batteries with a few 80-100A/H deep cycles. I think that calcification has ensured their final expiry after years on the garage floor. I'm pretty certain they're beyond redemption.

Question is how to get rid of them... are they worth anything to a metal merchant? They must be, as I remember putting 10 or so out on my front lawn a few years ago for an arranged council pickup, and they were stolen within hours - even with a sign on them saying "DEAD". I can't imagine theft if they weren't worth anything.

Alternatively, I'll just take them to the tip and let them make the cash I suppose.

Any advice here at all? TIA

Baddad (Marty) · #2 05-01-2010, 08:38 AM

Hi Chris,

Yes they are worth something to scrap metal merchants. I used to scavenge such stuff from dumps when I was in my early teens.

Check out the Yellow pages for addresses. Some merchants pay better prices than others.

Cheers Marty

Barrykgerdes · #3 05-01-2010, 09:59 AM

Hi Chris

You don't get much for the scrap these days. But there are quite a few places that take them. Last time I did this I had 10 old batteries and I think I got $5.00.

These days when the car battery gives the first sign of trouble I get it changed at the garage. He fits it cleans up the terminals and keeps the old battery all for the price of the battery.

By the way in my PM I forgot to say that Tervor and Son are well and off to Wiruna next New Moon. To try out the G11 and the new bits I made.

Baz

multiweb (Marc) · #4 05-01-2010, 10:02 AM

Actually I've got a couple too. Let me know how you go

Will see you at Ilford Barry - probably heading there Thursday & Friday as it's my boy's birthday over the week-end.

erick (Eric) · #5 05-01-2010, 10:03 AM

Check your local Council tip. They usually a a recyclables section and I have seen a pile of batteries at one.

Else, try your local battery supplier. Chances are they'll take them and get their own couple of dollars for them?

I have three sitting in my garage and cleanout time is looming!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 05-01-2010, 10:12 AM

Thanks fellas - I'll try the tip I think.

If they're worth nothing, then why were my old ones "stolen" off my lawn so quickly?

Might go that route again....

gary · #7 05-01-2010, 10:27 AM

Hi Chris,

Happy New Year.

Best advice is to definitely call your Council as they will have processes in place.
The processing facility may not necessarily be at the same place as your tip,
so it is as good idea to call them before making the drive.

Under both Federal and State laws, old lead-acid batteries are classified as
"Hazardous Waste" and therefore they have to be disposed of differently
to general waste.

Here in Hornsby Shire in the north of Sydney, old lead acid batteries are handled
as hazardous waste and the council provides a bi-annual service where one takes
waste such as lead acid batteries and chemicals to a purpose built facility where
workers wearing protective gear separate the waste and put it in purpose built
containers. Hornsby Council does not permit batteries being put out the front
for the general b-annual pickup nor is it permissible to put them in the red
garbage bin.

Apart from the hazard of the acid, the lead itself is an acutely toxic compound
and it is important that it does not enter the land fill.

There are many hazards in leaving them out the front to get scavenged.
Apart from the risk to the people handling them and not taking proper precautions
and burning themselves or their family members with acids and exposing
themselves to concentrations of lead, there is always the chance that some
may then get illegally dumped in the bush or farmland, so it is best to be
sure that who you handed them over to is going to do the right thing with them.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #8 05-01-2010, 10:48 AM

Solid advice Gary - and you're right of course. Happy New Year to yourself and Mai!

I'll call my local transfer station today.

bloodhound31 · #9 05-01-2010, 01:13 PM

Why don't you do what everyone else does? Pour the acid down the stormwater drain, then dump the batteries over the rail of the nearest bridge into a waterway. They are heavy so they will go straight to the bottom. A bit of lead never hurt anyone hey?

Usually the tip has a spot reserved for car batteries that doesn't go into regular landfill.

PCH (Paul) · #10 05-01-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Thanks fellas - I'll try the tip I think.

If they're worth nothing, then why were my old ones "stolen" off my lawn so quickly?

Might go that route again....

Chris et al,

that would be the way to go, - leave them out front.

I can't remember where I read the following, - it may even have been on here. But anyway, someone was trying to get rid of a fridge and left it out front with a sign saying "it works! - free to a good home". A week later it was still there cluttering up the front. Change tactics and add a sign saying "for sale - $50". It was 'gone' the same day.

It's all to do with psychology guys.

Outbackmanyep · #11 05-01-2010, 07:30 PM

Scrap metal merchants will pay $3 to $5 per battery, i know Matthews Metals at Kempsey or Port Macquarie (i think they are) do this!

The trouble with some Councils are they would probably want YOU to pay for disposing batteries which THEY will get carted away and get paid for it!

Bassnut (Fred) · #12 05-01-2010, 07:37 PM

Batteryworld and others like them, take them for free.

Chillie (Henry) · #13 05-01-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Thanks fellas - I'll try the tip I think.

If they're worth nothing, then why were my old ones "stolen" off my lawn so quickly?

Might go that route again....

They go for the lead.

Lead maybe toxic but it is also useful for the right applications.

MrB (Simon) · #14 05-01-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCH

I can't remember where I read the following, - it may even have been on here. But anyway, someone was trying to get rid of a fridge and left it out front with a sign saying "it works! - free to a good home". A week later it was still there cluttering up the front. Change tactics and add a sign saying "for sale - $50". It was 'gone' the same day.

LOL Reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons, Homer is trying to get rid of a trampoline, no one wants it.... So Bart puts a lock and chain on it, Homer and Bart turn their backs, count to 10 and turn back... it is gone.

astronut (John) · #15 06-01-2010, 10:45 AM

Chris,
Campbelltown Council does have two "Contaminated Products" collection a year.
Recently it has been held at the council depot, Pembroke Rd.
Give the Council a call or check their website.

Allan_L (Allan) · #16 07-12-2012, 07:23 AM

I got rid of 4 deep cycle batteries just yesterday.
The wife knew the local metal recyclers used to buy them.
Wasn't expecting much, but happy to get rid of them without having to pay!

Was pleasantly surprised.
They paid @ 26c per kilo.
And with a combined weight of 90kg.
That was $23 I was not expecting to receive.

Barrykgerdes · #17 07-12-2012, 07:55 AM

(Shh! sneak out at night and dump them in someone else's bin)
No seriously If I have a battery failure I get a new one fitted where they take the old ones.

Otherwise there are battery recyclers that will give you enough money to pay for the petrol to get there if you have a large enough load.

60 years ago selling old batteries for scrap was a nice little earner but not any more due to rules brought in by the fuddy duddies.

Barry