Same answer in every state and territory
Where to dispose of an old car battery in Australia
Anywhere in Australia, an old car battery goes back to a battery retailer or a council drop-off, never in a bin. Battery World recycles used lead-acid batteries free, from cars, motorbikes, trucks and boats, and many garages and transfer stations take them too. B-cycle points do not accept car batteries.
Sources Battery World: battery recyclingBattery World: what happens to a recycled car batteryB-cycle: battery types acceptedEPA Victoria: storing and transporting used lead-acid batteriesRAC WA: car battery recyclingWA Waste Sorted: household hazardous waste
What do I do with car batteries?
- Take it to a battery retailer Battery World recycles used lead-acid batteries free, from cars, trucks, motorbikes and boats. Many garages take them too; ask before you go.
- Or a council drop-off Many council transfer stations and household hazardous waste facilities take car batteries. What they accept and charge is set locally, so check with your council first.
- Cracked or leaking? Call first Before you move a cracked or leaking battery, call the recycler to check it will take it. Wear durable gloves and eye protection, keep it upright in an acid-resistant container, cover the terminals so nothing can short across them, and never try to take it apart.
- Not B-cycle B-cycle's small-battery drop-off points do not take car batteries. B-cycle sends people to a lead-acid battery recycler instead.
Car batteries are recycled through a national network of battery retailers, garages and council drop-offs, under an industry product stewardship scheme.
Is it free to recycle a car battery?
Usually. Battery World recycles used lead-acid batteries completely free. WA's Waste Sorted guide says they go free to a national network of battery recycling centres and to many garages. Council drop-offs set their own terms, so ask first.
Will a scrap metal dealer pay for an old car battery?
Some do, because of the lead. Ring first: prices move with the metal market, and not every dealer takes batteries.
Can a car battery go to a B-cycle point?
No. B-cycle is for small household batteries. For a lead-acid battery it sends people to a lead-acid battery recycler.
What happens to a recycled car battery?
Battery World says 96% of lead-acid batteries can be recycled into new batteries, and 97% of the lead can be recovered. The lead is melted into ingots, the acid is converted to sodium sulphate for glass, detergent and fertiliser, and the plastic case becomes things like wheelie bins and plant pots.
What if the battery is cracked or leaking?
Call the recycler before you move it, to check it will take a damaged battery. Wear durable gloves, eye protection and long sleeves, keep it upright in a sturdy acid-resistant container, cover the terminals so nothing can short across them, keep it away from flames, and never try to take it apart.
This answer is the same in every state and territory, so there is one page for it. The answers that change at the state border are listed at where does it go.