Resolved Frustrated - Trying to Recycle UPS Battery

[BigMcGuire]

The last 10 years+ I used to take UPS batteries to Staples to recycle them - which they gladly accepted and took. Well, last week, my work just replaced a handful of APC SmartUPS 1500 batteries and I offered to recycle them.

Went online to make sure that Staples accepts batteries, yep, their website says they do, drove 15 mins to Staples .... Nope, they don't take UPS batteries anymore.

So went to APC's website to get a list of places that will take the UPS battery. I was given the local Home Depot as an option. Great! That's just across the street. Nope, they only accept tiny Li-Ion batteries or AA AAA batteries. No lead acid UPS batteries.

OK, fine. Drive back home and wonder why I even tried. I guess no one recycles these anymore?! Guess it's off to my town's HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW). Frustrated.

Anyone else have an idea what to do with these?

 

[chown33]

If it's really lead-acid, try a car-parts retailier, like O'Reilly's. They accept car batteries for recycling, and those are definitely lead-acid, so it's worth a shot.

Or if there's a Batteries Plus (Batteries Plus Bulbs) near you, try that. It's where I bought the replacement lead-acid batteries for my UPS the last time I replaced (a year or so ago).

My last thought is a Fry's Electronics. I know they sell UPS lead-acid replacements (or did the last time I was there), so maybe they take them.

 

[Plutonius]

The last 10 years+ I used to take UPS batteries to Staples to recycle them - which they gladly accepted and took. Well, last week, my work just replaced a handful of APC SmartUPS 1500 batteries and I offered to recycle them.

Went online to make sure that Staples accepts batteries, yep, their website says they do, drove 15 mins to Staples .... Nope, they don't take UPS batteries anymore.

So went to APC's website to get a list of places that will take the UPS battery. I was given the local Home Depot as an option. Great! That's just across the street. Nope, they only accept tiny Li-Ion batteries or AA AAA batteries. No lead acid UPS batteries.

OK, fine. Drive back home and wonder why I even tried. I guess no one recycles these anymore?! Guess it's off to my town's HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW). Frustrated.

Anyone else have an idea what to do with these?

Contact Best Buy. They recycle most electronics although it's not free.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The last 10 years+ I used to take UPS batteries to Staples to recycle them - which they gladly accepted and took. Well, last week, my work just replaced a handful of APC SmartUPS 1500 batteries and I offered to recycle them.

Went online to make sure that Staples accepts batteries, yep, their website says they do, drove 15 mins to Staples .... Nope, they don't take UPS batteries anymore.

So went to APC's website to get a list of places that will take the UPS battery. I was given the local Home Depot as an option. Great! That's just across the street. Nope, they only accept tiny Li-Ion batteries or AA AAA batteries. No lead acid UPS batteries.

OK, fine. Drive back home and wonder why I even tried. I guess no one recycles these anymore?! Guess it's off to my town's HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW). Frustrated.

Anyone else have an idea what to do with these?

We get them recycled at work through our wee waste scheme. Don't they recycle them at your local tip?

 

[willmtaylor]

Most auto parts stores give discounts on car batteries if an exchange is done, so I would assume you could give Advance, O’Reily, AutoZone, or Napa a call (maybe even Walmart).

 

[BigMcGuire]

If it's really lead-acid, try a car-parts retailier, like O'Reilly's. They accept car batteries for recycling, and those are definitely lead-acid, so it's worth a shot.

Or if there's a Batteries Plus (Batteries Plus Bulbs) near you, try that. It's where I bought the replacement lead-acid batteries for my UPS the last time I replaced (a year or so ago).

My last thought is a Fry's Electronics. I know they sell UPS lead-acid replacements (or did the last time I was there), so maybe they take them.

Contact Best Buy. They recycle most electronics although it's not free.

We get them recycled at work through our wee waste scheme. Don't they recycle them at your local tip?

Most auto parts stores give discounts on car batteries if an exchange is done, so I would assume you could give Advance, O’Reily, AutoZone, or Napa a call (maybe even Walmart).

Wow thank you all! I can't believe I didn't think to try auto parts stores. The nearest Frys (an AWESOME store) is 2 hours away. Will try Best Buy or AutoZone/O'Reily's/Napa.

My work buys them through https://www.ibsupply.com/ (Industries for the Blind) because we're a Govt. office. But we're a remote Govt. office so we don't have any recycling or anything like that.

Thank you for the help all! Much appreciated!

 

[Huntn]

In Minnesota, the county had a recycling center, but I don’t remember if that was the County or the State. Maybe a future consideration depending on your State.

 

[eyoungren]

Just to add my two cents…

There are also battery stores, such as the Batteries Plus stores that exist in my locale. Batteries Plus is also in California, although I assume you are in SoCal.

In any case there may be other battery stores.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/t/recycling/battery

 

[hfg]

I purchased a replacement APC battery through ProVantage and was surprised it didn't have a return label for the old battery. I went to the APC website and asked via CHAT about sending it back for recycling. They sent me a link to print a prepaid UPS label (you have to enter the model # for weight calculations) which I then printed and attached to the box the replacement came in. Then simply dropped it off at the nearest UPS store and was done with it.

Very easy!

RBC Recycling Program

How to create your prepaid return label



1. Browse to the following URL: http://returns.upsrow.com

2. Enter the following LOGIN ID and PASSWORD

LOGIN ID: rbcreturns

PASSWORD: apcrbc0309



3. Follow on-screen instructions to create and print your prepaid label

4. Follow instructions on label to ship package





Disclaimer: This link is to be used solely by customers who have purchased a genuine APC RBC and who are therefore rightfully entitled to free return shipping of the old battery. APC reserves the right to investigate and prosecute unauthorized use or abuse of this secure URL

 

[BigMcGuire]

So today I pack up the batteries. Headed to BestBuy. Nope they wouldn’t take the batteries. Went to ORileys and even talked to a manager. Nope won’t take the batteries. Lol. Funny. I’ll try the link above. Thanks!

 

[bunnspecial]

If nothing else, take it to Wal-Mart and just drop it in the bin with the other batteries for disposal.

I'm surprised at the auto parts stores not taking it-there's value in spent lead acid batteries, and I'd think that they would jump at the chance to get "free" ones(ones without a core charge).

Yes, an SLA battery does LOOK different from a car battery, but once you crack the "seals" open they're really not any different-just generally a lot smaller.

I'd also agree on giving Batteries Plus a try. I'd expect a store that keeps "Cyclone" batteries(basically a 2V SLA cell about the size of a C or D cell depending on the exact specs) on the shelves to gladly take any SLA for recycling.

If nothing else-we have a few old UPS batteries kicking around work that we use as door stops.