6 REASONS TO RECYCLE A CAR BATTERY
There are some compelling reasons to recycle a car battery. While these batteries are harmless under the hood of your vehicle, they can be tremendously damaging to the environment if not properly discarded. Below, we’ll share six reasons for recycling this critical automotive component.
Why Recycle Your Car’s Battery?
Recycling your car’s battery makes sense for the following reasons:
1. It protects groundwater from heavy-metal poisoning. Car batteries contain heavy metals such as lead. According to information published by Sciencing, if car batteries are deposited in landfills, these heavy metals can create toxins that can poison our water supply. The lead contained in these batteries can poison the environment for years following contamination.
The World Health Organization reports that lead poisoning can be particularly harmful to young children, causing severe damage to the brain and nervous system. In adults, lead poisoning can lead to kidney damage and high blood pressure.
2. It helps create jobs. By recycling, you’re supporting an industry that benefits the economy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling and reusing activities create 757,000 U.S. jobs in a single year. Annually, these jobs create $36.6 billion in wages and $6.7 billion in tax revenue.
3. It reduces the waste sent to landfills. According to the EPA, the U.S. generated 262.4 million tons of solid waste in 2015, with the average person generating 4.48 pounds of waste each day. Right now, 52.5 percent of that waste gets sent to landfills, and there are a finite number of landfills in this country. Recycling reduces the burden placed on landfills.
4. It’s legally required in several states. Several states, including California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Indiana, have laws in place that make it mandatory for car owners to recycle the batteries used in their vehicles. This law covers more than just the lead-acid batteries typically used in gas-powered cars. In California, for example, it also applies to batteries with the following chemistry:
Lithium-ion
Nickel-metal hydride
Nickel-cadmium
5. It saves energy. Recycling allows parts in your car battery to be reused. Reusing parts in this way requires less energy than creating these components from scratch.
6. It can earn you money. Your used car battery can earn you money. Instead of discarding it, you can sell it to a local auto parts shop or junk shop. These businesses reuse old car batteries in various ways. They may scrap them for parts or recondition them so they can be resold. A used car battery can get you as much as $15 at one of these facilities. Batteries that are still in relatively good condition will get the best price, as will those that are made by well-known manufacturers.
Good for the Planet, the Economy and Your Wallet
There are many reasons to recycle a car battery. It keeps the planet safe for current and future generations, and it also provides jobs that help our economy. You can also earn some extra cash by selling your battery so it can be scrapped for parts or reconditioned.
Check out all the car battery products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 16,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to recycle your battery, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
