Most people know how important it is to recycle things such as newspapers, soft drink cans, and milk jugs. But what about your old car battery? Batteries often end up somewhere in the garage or the back shed. 

Containing 18 pounds of lead and one pound of sulfuric acid, car batteries are highly corrosive and potentially hazardous to your household and your environment. Acid escaping through cracks can cause painful or disfiguring injuries to curious children or animals.
Eventually, leaking acid and lead sludge will contaminate the storage area and work down into the ground, polluting the soil. Sometimes, a battery will retain a low-level charge. If metal contacts the battery terminals, sparks can be generated, which may ignite surrounding materials. 

Recycling an old battery not only removes a risky situation from your home, it eliminates a pollutant and reduces waste. Lead is one of the few metals that can be restored to its original state, and typically 99 percent of an automobile battery can be recycled and used to manufacture new batteries.

Disposing of a battery so it can be recycled requires great care. Wear gloves and use a battery carrying tool to prevent injury when handling a battery. You should also have an acid neutralizer, such as baking soda and water, in case acid gets on the skin.

Failed batteries can be returned to auto repair facilities or automotive parts stores that sell new batteries. Most AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities that sell new batteries also accept old batteries for recycling. NAPA Auto Parts Stores, which offer discounts to AAA members, will accept a worn-out battery when a new one is purchased.