Consumers (e.g. householders) of automotive batteries are not entitled to free take back of their waste batteries from battery producers. However, householders (but not businesses) are allowed to deposit was automotive batteries at Civic Amenity Sites without charge.
In the United Kingdom (UK) batteries and accumulators are regulated to help protect the environment through the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (as amended) – the underpinning legislation: An automotive battery is of any size or weight and used for one of the following:
Who is affected? The main groups who will be affected by the regulations are people who place batteries or equipment containing batteries on the market in the UK. The requirements may differ depending upon whether the batteries in question are automotive, industrial or portable.
There should be a collection point at the premises for ‘portable’ batteries. These include AAA, AA and 9V batteries, battery packs, button batteries and rechargeable batteries, which can be found in a huge range of products. Basically, all batteries apart from those designed for vehicles or industrial use can be dropped off for recycling this way.
Battery users have no obligations under the batteries regulations. However, they should dispose of their waste batteries in an environmentally sound way. For example, the disposal of whole, untreated industrial and automotive batteries in landfill or by incineration is banned. See the page in this guide on How end users can recycle waste batteries.
You can take most waste batteries to your local supermarket, or any other big shop nearby that sells over 32 kg of batteries a year. There should be a collection point at the premises for ‘portable’ batteries.