Car battery with jumper cable

Batteries: Auto

Used lead acid car batteries (from conventional gas-powered cars) are typically taken by the company where you purchase a new battery. Usually the price includes a core charge which is refunded or deducted from the price of the new battery. Most car parts stores require a receipt of purchase to take your old battery. The Floyd transfer station takes used car batteries but does not pay for them. Scrap metal companies also take, and sometimes pay, for used car batteries. It is illegal to discard a motor vehicle battery or other lead acid battery.

Additional Information

For information on recycling electric vehicle batteries, you might start with this article.

Below is information about the laws governing conventional auto battery disposal. From the Code of Virginia website:

  • 10.1-1425.2. Collection of lead acid batteries for recycling.

Any person selling lead acid batteries at retail or offering lead acid batteries for retail sale in the Commonwealth shall:

  1. Accept from customers, at the point of transfer, used lead acid batteries of the type and in a quantity at least equal to the number of new batteries purchased, if offered by customers; and
  2. Post written notice which shall be at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size and which shall include the universal recycling symbol and the following language: (i) “It is illegal to discard a motor vehicle battery or other lead acid battery,” (ii) “Recycle your used batteries,” and (iii) “State law requires us to accept used motor vehicle batteries or other lead acid batteries for recycling, in exchange for new batteries purchased.”

Last updated on October 29th, 2024

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