Do you know what ultimately happens to old car batteries when they go bad? Lead acid batteries are used in nearly every type of vehicle, from ships and cars to a source for backup power systems.
Once they have been broken down, they are scrap, but instead of shredding them, you can sell them as scrap metal. You might be asking just how much a lead acid battery can get you as scrap. Learn about it below.
Why Are Lead Acid Batteries Valuable?
You’d be surprised how something that doesn’t work can still have some dollar value. A lead acid battery has dollar value in the materials used in its construction, particularly lead. Here is why they have value:
- Lead: The major part of the cost is incurred by lead. Lead forms some of those heavy metals that are recycled and then can be used for numerous purposes. They make most new batteries from it.
- Plastic: The plastic used in the casing of the lead acid battery can be recycled in the form of making other products.
- Acid: The acid used in the lead acid battery is toxic but is still being processed and sometimes used for different applications.
Because of these materials, recycling centers and even junk yards pay for old lead-acid batteries.
Factors Influencing Scrap Lead Acid Battery Value
All right now, how much are you going to get for that scrap lead acid battery? Well, a scrap lead acid battery has several variables that determine its price. Some of the main factors that work their way into that are the following.
Weight of the Battery
Usually, the price is done so based on how heavy the battery is. Lead that makes up batteries is what makes them heavy and, thereby, more valuable. An example of this can be seen when comparing car batteries with small batteries. A car battery is much heavier than a smaller battery, which often means a higher scrap value.
Lead Current Market Price
The prices of lead are influenced by market dynamics; therefore, if a lead is priced up, then your old scrap battery is indeed worth that much and vice versa.
Condition of the Battery
The condition of the battery also contributes to deciding how much scrap value it will fetch. If the battery is damaged, leaking, or generally spoilt, it will come cheap when it’s time to recycle.
Location
Prices for scrap lead acid batteries also vary with location. Some areas have a high demand for scrap lead acid batteries and, therefore, offer money. Other places may offer a lower price.
Supply and Demand
Anything has to do with supply and demand in determining the price. If scrap batteries abound, this price will likely drop. When fewer are available, this price would likely rise.
How Much Can I Get Paid for a Scrap Lead Acid Battery?
Depending on the factors we discussed above is the amount you’ll be able to obtain. Generally, though, this is what you might end up with in a rough estimate:
- Small Batteries: The small-sized lead acid batteries, motorcycle or lawn mower type can sell at between $2 and $6.
- Car Batteries: You can get car batteries in any case, which usually happens between $5 and $12.
- Huge Batteries: A large lead acid battery will cost you from $12 up to $30 or even hundreds of dollars if you have an industrial equipment or truck battery.
These prices may vary by weight, lead of the day, and if you’re within that area. You usually find it best to make some calls to a few of the local scrap yards or recycling centers so you can get the best price for your battery.
Where Can I Sell Scrap Lead Acid Batteries?
You can recycle an old, used scrap lead acid battery at some of the following locations:
Scrap Yards
The best place where you can sell your old battery is at the scrap yards; most of them specialize in the business of purchasing and recycling metal, such as lead from the battery. By rule, they can take your battery to their yard, weigh it, and then give you a price based on its weight and the price of lead at present.
Lead Acid Batteries
Scrape: They sometimes buy scrap lead acid batteries from recycling centers. Scrap batteries they sold locally; these centers recycle material in an environmentally friendly manner. You will get some pretty competitive prices for your battery. Some even offer pick-up services.
Auto Parts Stores
Sometimes, you can sell your old car battery to some auto parts stores or get a discount to use one of their new batteries in exchange for your old one. They will not pay near as much as the above but it is a good alternative if you were going to get another car battery anyway.
Internet Markets
You can sell it online via internet markets, like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. This will consume more of your time and effort sometimes, but you may get a better price.
Why Should Lead Acid Batteries be Recycled?
There is a need to recycle lead-acid batteries in a number of ways. It keeps dangerous materials, like lead and acid, from the landfills so that they cannot leak down into the soil and the groundwater.
Resource saving. Recycling companies melt and recycle leads from an old battery to make a new one. This reduces the usage of new mines for lead, hence creating a healthier environment.
Waste is reduced by recycling. Landfills do not need the old batteries because it has all the materials to form new products.
Conclusion
Accordingly, how much is the scrap value of a lead-acid battery? It depends on the size. Because in case it is large and the price of the metal has increased you can get $5 to $30 or more based on size, and it can go down as low as $2 to $6 for smaller sizes. Buy the lead acid batteries in bulk at Lead Acid Battery Scrap Wholesale at affordable prices.
If you’ve got an old lead-acid battery, do not just dispose of it. Instead, you can sell it to a scrap yard, recycling center, or auto parts store for recycling. This way, you would at least be earning some money and saving the environment by recycling valuable materials.
