What Is The Safest Way To Dispose Of An Old Lawn Mower Battery?

When something has outlived its functional life and it's not possible to compost it, our first instinct is to throw it in the garbage can. Once it's off to the landfill, it's none of our business — out of sight, out of mind, right? While this approach is perfectly acceptable with most items you'll interact with on a daily basis, there are a few things that even professional trash collection services aren't equipped to handle, like batteries. Both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in lawn mowers, aren't allowed to be dropped off at landfills. Instead, they should be brought to a local hardware store, auto parts store, or hazardous waste facility to be safely disposed of or recycled.

Getting rid of used batteries is a bit of a hassle, but doing so properly is incredibly important. In many states, it's actually been made illegal to dump certain types batteries in the trash, but the fear of consequences shouldn't be the only thing stopping you. Lead-acid batteries, like those found in most gas-powered lawn mowers, contain dangerous substances that can easily leak if mishandled or as a result of corrosion over time.

These chemicals contaminate groundwater, pollute the air when burned, and cause harm to workers. Lithium-ion batteries, which are common in electric mowers, present a fire and pollution risk. Additionally, they're produced using finite, valuable materials like lithium and cobalt. Recycling programs can collect these materials and ensure they stay in circulation, helping to slow down resource depletion over time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of programs that will allow you to safely dispose of or recycle your old lawn mower batteries for free. If you're already buying a new battery at a hardware store, check with the sales associate to see if you can drop off your old battery in one fell swoop.

Hardware stores partnered with The Battery Network (formerly known as Call2Recycle) accept rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and medium-sized lead-acid batteries, like those frequently found in lawn mowers. Most Lowe's and Home Depot locations are a part of this program — you should see a disposal bin near the front of the store. If you're getting rid of a lithium-ion battery, make sure to either fully bag up the battery or tape up the positive terminal (a simple trick that helps you to avoid starting a fire).

If you're worried that your battery is a bit too big to be accepted by this program (the weight limit is 11 pounds for lead-acid batteries), auto supply stores are also a great resource. Retailers like O'Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, and Advance Auto Parts will take and dispose of old batteries for free — some might even give you a $10 gift card to put toward your next purchase. Also changing your lawn mower's oil? Most will accept that for you, too.

Finally, there's the option to go direct to the source. Most areas have municipal hazardous waste collection programs in place that allow residents to dispose of more dangerous trash, either during a scheduled drop-off or as a pickup alongside normal trash on the curb. This will vary heavily by region, so some additional research is required to learn more about your local pickup days or disposal locations.