Disposing of lead-acid batteries in the UK - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2020, 09:40:13 am
content: What's the correct way to dispose of lead-acid batteries in the UK?I recently upgraded a pair of Tek 224 scopes to Li-Ion, and am now trying to figure out how to responsibly get rid of the original batteries.My google-fu is seriously failing me this morning. I found a bunch of regulations and processes for exporters, treatment operators etc, but what do I do as a consumer?

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2020, 09:50:32 am
content: Just take them down to your local council rubbish tip, they'll have a battery container somewhere.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2020, 09:55:34 am
content: Local scrap yard will probably take them, may give you a quid or two

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2020, 03:22:32 pm
content: Yes, scrap metal dealers in the UK will pay you reasonably well for them (ours is usefully across the road from the Tip). Note that they won't pay you in cash and will want ID.

author: pcmad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 03:19:07 pm
content: Local scrappy and they will give you money

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 03:28:48 pm
content: Local scrapper here doesn't want them because they're usually nicked. Down the local tip it is.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 03:41:16 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 03, 2020, 03:28:48 pmHence the ID and no cash. It's the same for all scrap metal these days, especially stuff like copper cable. Not complicated though.

author: pcmad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2020, 06:21:39 pm
content: battery disposal box at the local supper market

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 08:19:13 am
content: Quote from: pcmad on February 07, 2020, 06:21:39 pmOurs lists battery types they accept and that doesn't include lead-acid. I wonder if the list is meant to be exhaustive?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 10:15:06 am
content: Quote from: pcmad on February 07, 2020, 06:21:39 pmThat sounds like a recipe for disaster... Improper handling, shorts, smoke, fire.P.S. I doubt they'd even fit in the container.

author: Brent88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 10:39:31 am
content: check car battery resellers/dealers they will normally take them from you. might even give a bit of cash for themlocally in the states autozone will pay you 10$ per battery (has to be over a certain weight)

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 11:03:21 am
content: Quote from: Gyro on February 08, 2020, 10:15:06 amThose things are terribly dangerous anyway. They don't have one at the local sainsburys now because it went up in flames in the night.

author: johnkenyon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 03:19:56 pm
content: In my experience there are three choices for battery disposal in the UK:Anything except lead acid:1) Your local supermarketLead acid batteries:2) The battery specialist you visited to buy your new lead acid battery from.3) Your local authority tipI did (2) yesterday when I picked up 4 new batteries for a UPS, and I've done (1) and (3) in the recent past.If you are disposing of industrial quantities (2) is preferred given that most local authorities are so hostile about accepting waste these days, it's as if they are willing you to flytip.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 03:33:51 pm
content: Getting rid of lead acid batteries is easy, as the lead has enough value to make them attractive. A problem in many parts of the UK is disposing of old tyres. If you go to a tyre service place and get new tyres fitted they deal with the old ones. If you just have an old tyre to dispose of it can be quite a pain to find someone who will take it, even when you offer them cash. Our local council's waste disposal places won't take them. The tyre service places won't take them. Luckily the adjacent district's council will take them if you pay 2 pounds.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 04:39:32 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on February 08, 2020, 03:33:51 pmI was in a local tyre place recently, one of the national chains, and someone came in asking just the same thing. The chap behind the desk just said all their old tyres for disposal are stacked around the side, and should another make its way onto the pile then it's not a problem.

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 06:07:33 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 08, 2020, 11:03:21 amI'm guessing that's the reason my local supermarket doesn't accept Li-Ion batteries either (not that it stopped someone dumping an old laptop battery on the floor right next to the recycling point).

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 06:12:24 pm
content: I find that if I visit the local tip at lunchtime, or when it's raining, nobody looks at what you're throwing away thereMy local place has seen way more than their fair share of plastic enclosures from lab equipment, PCBs etc...

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 06:21:54 pm
content: Yeah they are usually not paid enough to give a crap. There’s a no garden waste rule at mine because the council operate a separate waste service but you shove it in a heavy black sack and they shrug and say chuck it in household waste.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 06:26:51 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 08, 2020, 06:21:54 pmWe have a separate garden waste collection. It stops for the winter, right in the middle of the leaves falling from the trees. So, we have a line of plastic bags full of leaves beside the house, waiting for garden waste collection to resume in April. Thankfully in April the only garden waste we have to dispose of is these leaves. Who sets these wacky schedules?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 06:59:41 pm
content: Well on the basis that the councils hire only people who can't get a job somewhere better then it's idiots who set the schedulesSame here by the way. For us it was "council tax frozen this year again!" (small print: new garden waste charge £55/year). they collect all winter though which is good.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2020, 07:54:11 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on February 08, 2020, 06:26:51 pmIf they're Oak leaves put them back on the borders, best soil conditioner ever! The worms will have taken them all down by April.

author: pcmad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 05:20:12 pm
content: you nearest WEEE disposle place

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 06:49:30 pm
content: Quote from: pcmad on February 10, 2020, 05:20:12 pmHow would you go about finding one? I did a fair amount of Googling and clicked on a couple dozen links, but none have helped me answer this question. (My council's site is particularly useless.)

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 07:34:43 pm
content: Quote from: aix on February 10, 2020, 06:49:30 pmI'm not sure a WEEE disposal site is a thing. WEEE is a standard / regulation (for Lead-free manufacture!).I think it's pretty clear...- If you just want to get rid, then take them to your local council household recycling centre and put them in the Lead-Acid recycling section (with the car batteries).- If you want a bit of money back, go to your local scrap metal dealer and take ID and bank account details [Edit: or they probably do payment by cheque].I don't think it can be much clearer.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 07:57:53 pm
content: They are useful around the house as doorstops, general purpose weights, and even for fitness exersize.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2020, 08:03:16 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on February 10, 2020, 07:57:53 pmAh, that's why they have handles on them these days.