Recycle lead-acid batteries

On this page

• What you can recycle
• What happens to lead-acid batteries when you recycle
• Guidance documents

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What you can recycle

You can recycle all lead-acid batteries that fall under one of the following 5 categories:

• Sealed Lead Acid (such as, emergency lighting)
• Passenger and Light Truck Vehicle
• Commercial Truck Vehicle
• Motive (such as, electric forklifts)
• Stationary (such as, large power supply and emergency backup)

Why you should recycle

Batteries contain a number of heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

By recycling batteries, you're helping to:

• Divert waste from your local landfills
• Reduce the risk of soil contamination, water pollution, and exposure to corrosive acids
• Reduce the need for raw materials to manufacture new products

The Canadian Battery Association (CBA) is responsible for operating the EPR program for lead-acid batteries in B.C. 

Where you can recycle

Batteries are accepted for free at participating retailers.

Also, private metal recyclers may accept lead-acid batteries, and in some cases, pay for them.

For local recycling options and locations, visit the Recycling Council of BC Recyclepedia.

What happens to lead-acid batteries when you recycle

The 3 basic components of lead-acid batteries are all 100% recyclable:

• Lead and lead products: 99% of lead is recovered during the smelting process and is recycled or sold as a commodity
• Electrolyte: 100% of sulphuric acid sold is recovered and is recycled, sold as a commodity or neutralized for disposal
• Plastics: Recycled and sold as a commodity

Guidance documents

The Hazardous Waste Regulation regulates the collection, storage, transportation and treatment of used or spent lead-acid batteries.

The following factsheets are provided as a resource to generators, transporters and receivers of used or spent lead-acid batteries:

• Disposal of Used or Spent Lead-acid Batteries for Commercial and Institutional Generators (PDF, 87KB)
• Disposal of Used or Spent Lead-acid Batteries for Manufacturers and Suppliers of Batteries (PDF, 142KB)
• Disposal of Used or Spent Lead-acid Batteries for Other Receivers of Batteries (PDF, 97KB)
• Guidance for Transporting Used or Spent Lead-acid Batteries (PDF, 117KB)
• Disposal of Used or Spent Lead-acid Batteries for Consumers (PDF, 105KB)