Lead acid recycling — where to take old batteries?

Got a couple of old 110Ah lead acid leisure batteries from the van that are finally giving up the ghost. One's completely dead, the other's holding maybe 20% capacity on a good day.

Rather than just binning them, I'd like to do the right thing and get them recycled properly. Anyone know the best places in Cornwall to take them? I'm guessing most scrapyards will handle them, but I want to make sure they're actually being recycled and not just dumped somewhere dodgy.

Also curious if anyone's had luck with mail-back schemes or if those are a complete hassle with batteries this size. Seems like it might be pricey to post two massive leisure batteries across the country, but if it's the responsible option I'll do it.

While I'm at it, I'm planning to replace them with a Victron LiFePO4 setup — finally going lithium after years of faff with lead acid charge profiles. Anyone else made that switch in a motorhome? Reckon it'll be worth the investment for off-grid boondocking.

Cheers for any pointers on the recycling side though. These old batteries deserve a better end than a landfill!

Have you checked with your local council's household waste recycling centre first? Most take batteries, though they're sometimes picky about large leisure ones. Worth ringing ahead.

Alternatively, Ampere and Intersol both do mail-in schemes if you're nowhere near a decent facility — costs a bit but they handle the lot properly.

If you're after a bit of cash back, some scrapyards will take them, especially if you've got a few. Ring round your local ones — prices fluctuate with lead value. Not a fortune mind you, but better than paying disposal fees.

For your motorhome, what are you replacing them with? If you're considering lithium or AGM, happy to chat through sizing — made that switch myself and wish I'd done it sooner rather than limping along with dead lead acid.

Most recycling centres will take them, yeah. But honestly, I've had better luck going direct to battery specialists — they'll often take them for free and actually recycle them properly rather than just binning them.

Tried that with my old Victron setup batteries last year. Found a place near me that strips them down for the lead and acid. Worth a quick Google for "lead acid battery recycling [your area]" — usually faster than the council route and you know they're being handled right.

Some leisure battery suppliers (Fogstar, etc.) might take them back too if you're buying new ones — worth asking when you order replacements.

The dead one's probably the easiest to shift, mind. Even dead batteries have decent scrap value for the lead content.

Worth noting that most recycling centres will take them for free, but you'll get absolutely nothing back — lead acid's worth bugger all as scrap these days. That said, there are specialist battery recyclers who'll actually collect larger quantities if you've got multiple units.

I shifted a pair of 110Ah Victrons (similar spec to yours) through a place called Battery World down south — they do collection runs and handle the whole disposal properly. Cost me about £15 per battery for collection, but at least they're processed through the proper channels rather than sitting in a council tip.

Before you bin them though, worth trying a proper desulphation charge if you've got a decent charger. I've resurrected lead acids that looked completely dead just by running them through a slow charge cycle over a few days — the 20% one might surprise you. Stick it on a Victron charger set to the desulphation profile if you've got one, leave it for 48 hours minimum. Not guaranteed, but cheaper than recycling fees.

If they're genuinely knackered after that, the council's your easiest route. Just book a trip

Yeah, worth checking if any local breakers or motorhome shops will take them off your hands. Some actually pay a few quid for the lead content, especially if they're still in decent condition structurally.

I took mine to a specialist battery recycler rather than the council — they were more bothered about getting them properly processed. Found one through a quick Google of "battery recycling near me" and they charged about a tenner to take the pair, but at least I knew they weren't ending up in landfill.

Also worth a shout: Halfords take old batteries if you're buying replacements from them — not always brilliant rates, but saves a trip. And if you're replacing them soon anyway, some leisure battery suppliers (Fogstar, Victron dealers, etc.) will handle disposal when you order new ones.

The dead one's basically scrap value, but that 20% capacity one might be worth mentioning specifically if you find a recycler — shows they weren't abused.

Couple of practical points from my experience swapping out ancient cells in the van:

Scrap value — @DownsCruiser's spot on about breakers. I got £8 per battery from a local motor factors because lead's actually worth something on the scrap market right now. Phone round your area first though, prices fluctuate. Some recycling centres genuinely won't pay but others will, especially if you're shifting volume.

Transport consideration — leaking or swollen batteries are a pain to shift. If yours are still sealed and not actively leaking, you've got more options. If they're weeping acid, the recycling centre route becomes more appealing even if it's free, because at least you're not liable for any spillage in your van.

Alternative — and I mention this because I've done it — some specialist leisure battery firms (Fogstar, certain Victron stockists) occasionally take cores in when you're buying replacements. Worth asking before you commit to the recycling centre run. Might net you a small credit depending on what you're upgrading to.

The key is making a few phone calls first rather

Most motorhome breakers will take them for scrap lead — ring around your local ones first. If that draws a blank, your council tip takes them free. Worth noting the lead's worth proper money atm, so breakers might actually pay a tenner or two rather than charge you. Check if your leisure battery supplier does trade-ins too.