Battery recycling at Repco

Why recycle your old car battery?

In these enlightened times the vast majority of us have grown up with the mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle, and this very much applies when talking about old car batteries. Comprising various metals such as lead, nickel, steel, zinc, lithium and cobalt all enable old car batteries to being infinitely recyclable in not just new car batteries but all manner of products.

The importance of recycling old car batteries is also the environmental impact that comes when sending these to landfill. Packed with harmful chemicals and acid you certainly don't need to be a scientist to understand that leeching these types of pollutants into the soil or water table is not the best. When Repco can offer a easy and free solution close at hand why wouldn't you do your bit for the planet.

Another reason to recycle your car batteries and not have them gather dust in the garage is the potential for the release of hydrogen sulfide gas. Recharging, moving, or shaking a lead-acid battery can produce an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases that escape through the battery's vents. If allowed to accumulate in a small area can ignite easily and cause a fire or explosion. Although a relatively uncommon occurence this is certainly a scenario that can be easily avoided if recycled.

Ideally you want to drop your old battery off as soon as you can to both limit the potential for accidents but also to get the battery recycled and its materials destined for their next life.

What types of batteries can be recycled?

In the push for more compact and efficient storage of power batteries are no longer just produced in the traditional lead acid or 'wet' configurations. Technology has seen all manner of different battery types and Repco can accept the following batteries for recycling:-

• Flooded Lead Acid Battery or Wet Cell. What most people associate with a standard engine starting battery, this format and technology has been around for decades.
• Silver Calcium Battery. Improved version of a Wet Cell battery
• Enhanced Flooded Battery - EFB A high performance Wet Cell battery. Found in stop/start vehicles
• Gel Cell Battery or Dry Cell - A no-spill version of a Wet Cell where the electrolyte is turned to a gel
• Absorbent Glass Mat battery or AGM - Improved Gel Cell, found in most Stop/Start vehicles
• Deep Cycle or Marine Batteries. Found in recreational vehicles, usually the 2nd battery in a vehicle set up with dual batteries, boats and watercraft

We are however unable to accept the following non lead acid battery types-

• Lithium Ion Battery or Li-Ion. Usually found in Hybrid or Electric vehicles
• Nickel Metal Hydride Battery or NiMH. Similar to the Lithium Ion and often used in Hybrid vehicles and some electric vehicles

Do I get charged for recycling old batteries?

Unlike taking your old car batteries to the local transfer station and paying a fee for disposal, your nearest Repco store can take these off your hands free of charge. Partnering with Century Yuasa batteries enable Repco to have your old battery picked up and responsibly recycled in facilities that divert the majority of components into being reused.

The staff at your local Repco store will happily assist you in dropping off your old battery.