# Car Battery Recycling in Upland > Car battery recycling in Upland. Route 66 Auto Repair takes back the old lead-acid battery when we replace yours so it is handled safely, not trashed. Source: https://route66autorepairshop.com/electrical-services/battery-recycling-service Updated: 2026-09-17 Business: Route 66 Auto Repair, 1775 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 608-7699 Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM–5 PM, Saturday 8 AM–2 PM, Sunday closed **TLDR:** Old car batteries are **hazardous waste**. We **take them back** when we replace yours and keep them upright and contained until pickup. When Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland replaces your car battery, the old one goes back for recycling instead of into a trash bin. Car batteries hold lead and sulfuric acid, and in California a lead-acid battery cannot go in household trash. Nearly all of the lead and plastic in a car battery can be reclaimed, so returning it keeps those materials in use and out of the landfill. ## Why can't a car battery go in the trash? A lead-acid battery contains lead plates and acid that can leak if the case cracks. In a landfill, that can reach soil and water. California treats these batteries as hazardous waste, and [CalRecycle](https://calrecycle.ca.gov/) lists safe ways to dispose of them. Handing it to a shop that installs batteries is one of the simplest. Recycling also has a practical side. The lead is melted and reused, the plastic case is ground and molded again, and the acid is neutralized or reprocessed. ## How should you handle an old battery before you bring it in? - Keep it upright so acid cannot run out of the vents - Wear gloves, since the outside can carry acid residue - Set it in a plastic tub or box in the trunk, not on carpet - Keep it away from sparks and flames, as it can vent hydrogen - Do not stack anything on a swollen or cracked case ## What happens to your old battery here 1. **Remove carefully:** The technician lifts the battery out, checks for leaks and keeps it upright. 2. **Store safely:** It is set in a contained area away from customer spaces and heat sources. 3. **Return for recycling:** It goes back through the parts supply chain for recycling with the other cores. ## What's included - Removal of the old battery during a replacement - Leak and case check - Contained, upright storage - Return for recycling - Any core charge shown as its own line on the written estimate ## Before you recycle it, is the battery really done? It is worth knowing. A battery that went flat from a light left on may still be healthy. We run a [battery test](https://route66autorepairshop.com/electrical-services/battery-testing) before we call it finished. When it has failed, a correct [battery replacement](https://route66autorepairshop.com/electrical-services/battery-replacement) follows, and a leaking case often means cleanup under the tray, covered by [battery corrosion cleaning](https://route66autorepairshop.com/electrical-services/battery-corrosion-cleaning). ## How soon does an old battery need to go? **Need now:** - A cracked, leaking or swollen battery in a garage or car - A battery that got wet or was dropped **Need later:** - A dry, intact spare you no longer need ## How pricing and timing work Taking back the old battery is part of our replacement work. If a core charge applies to your new battery, the estimate shows it clearly before you approve. Replacement time depends on where the battery sits in your car. ## Aftercare If acid dripped in your trunk on the way over, rinse the spot with plenty of water and tell us. We can look at the area when you drop off. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drop off an old battery without buying a new one? Call [(909) 608-7699](tel:+19096087699) first so the counter can tell you what we can accept that day. Local household hazardous waste sites also take them. ### What about hybrid or electric vehicle batteries? This service covers 12-volt lead-acid batteries. Large hybrid packs are a different system. Tell us it is a hybrid at intake and we will explain what we can take on. ### Is a swollen battery dangerous? It can be. Swelling often means overheating or overcharging. Keep it upright, ventilated and away from sparks, and do not try to charge it. --- Call (909) 608-7699 or visit https://route66autorepairshop.com/contact for a written estimate.