Is it Legal to Throw Car Batteries in the Ocean?

People throw their used car batteries all over. It is estimated that over one million worn-out car batteries are thrown in landfills, posing a challenge to the environment.

Do you want to dispose of your battery and wondering if it is legal to throw car batteries in the ocean?

Well, it is illegal. Why so? Because when you throw car batteries into the ocean, they create so much toxic residual that it is a threat and kills marine life. Therefore, it is essential to look for better options to dispose of the old car batteries.

Throwing old car batteries in the ocean is dangerous, and it would be best to protect marine life and avoid being on the wrong side of the law because it is illegal.

Do you want to understand this subject better?

This article has the facts you need to understand about throwing car batteries in the ocean.

Why Do People Throw Car Batteries In The Ocean?

People throw car batteries in the ocean to dispose of them. The reason a person will throw their car batteries in the ocean is that;

First, they do not know where to throw their worn-out batteries, and they only think of taking the battery in the ocean.

Another reason is that some individuals do not understand that it is illegal to dispose of their batteries in the ocean.

In this regard, people need to understand that when they toss their car batteries in the ocean, they do not solve the issue of protecting the environment. You endanger marine life once you throw a car battery in the sea.

It would also be best to understand that disposing of old car batteries is more complicated than just throwing them in the ocean. Some states require you to have a permit before you dispose of it, and there are strict laws restricting people from throwing wastes into the sea.

Is Throwing Car Batteries in the Ocean Good?

No, it is not good. Throwing car batteries in the ocean is dangerous to the environment and poses a significant threat to marine life.

Car batteries are made up of lead and acid that stay charged and even last long. While the acid and lead are suitable for the battery’s durability, they are dangerous for people and animal health as well as the surroundings.

So, when you throw your old car batteries in the ocean, they are likely to start leaking and lead to contamination of both soil and water.

Therefore, if you are thinking about disposing of your car battery, do not throw it in the ocean. You can send it to a recycling plant, it is less costly, and you will have done a great thing in preserving the environment.

What Happens When You Throw A Used Car Battery Into The Ocean?

A car battery contains about 20 pounds of acid and lead. If this lead is not handled carefully, it can contaminate the environment.

So, when you throw a car battery in the ocean, this is what happens;

• The toxic chemicals will leak into the ocean

Chemical leakage in the ocean is one of the most dangerous results of throwing the ocean’s battery. For instance, the leakages of lead and acids from the battery are harmful to marine life. The toxics will also lead to pollution of the ocean.

• Car battery takes a long time to decompose

For a car battery to decompose completely, it will take several years. This is why you should be careful before disposing of the battery because the disposed of battery stays in the ocean and keeps contaminating the water.

Laws Regarding Car Batteries and Oceans

It is not legal to throw car batteries in the ocean. Here are the laws regarding the issue of disposing of car batteries;

1. In the United States, federal law demands lead and nickel-cadmium batteries to be handled as Universal Waste. Call2Recycle assists collect and recycling the batteries at no cost, hence assisting the manufacturers to reach the recycling requirements. Call2Recycle ensures recycling agencies to ensure they comply with safety measures.
2. In California, the law requires one to recycle their batteries or take them to a recycling shop. There are plenty of areas dealing with recycling batteries like brokers or storage facilities. There are also great designated centers for recycling that helps in the correct disposal of the batteries.

If you are having trouble finding one, call a local law enforcement agency to recommend a place for you to take the battery.

You might even be lucky enough to find a company that pays you to take your old battery away.

3. All state workers in Connecticut are legally required to recycle their posters, flyers, and other materials. Connecticut is thus famous for its increase in recycling.
4. In Arizona, a retailer is not subjected to the needs of the sale of rechargeable batteries used for goods like those devices operated by batteries.
5. In Arizona, online retailers selling small non-rechargeable batteries must give consumers a free system to properly recycle or dispose of the batteries. To ensure they comply with the laws in Arizona State, retailers do not sell rechargeable batteries.
6. In Vermont, the residents should recycle all batteries containing Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries.
7. No particular law prohibits using a mobile device when operating a motor car in Vermont.
8. Every business, including non-profit organizations and public and private agencies in Colorado, is required by the law to recycle.

The process is meant to reduce climate changes, decrease energy costs, clean the environment, protect natural resources and protect every person in general.

9. Texas requires people to recycle every single-use battery and then move them to a universal waste handler or a hazardous waste disposal facility.
10. In Connecticut, all businesses should recycle according to State Agencies subsection 22a-256a of state of the state’s statutes.
11. In Oregon, individuals are not supposed to throw old batteries away as a way of disposing of them.

The process of disposing of the batteries in Oregon is on the Department of Environmental Quality’s website.

12. In Pennsylvania, people should dispose of their old batteries in a pit of 8.5×11 inches.
13. The law in Pennsylvania state that disposing of old batteries in a pit of 8.5×11 inches do not apply to non-toxic batteries like metal containers, food containers, and plastic containers.
14. In New Jersey, there is a law for recycling rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with small sealed lead acid/Pb.
15. In Washington, you should not dispose of old batteries used during manufacturing, but you should take them for recycling or properly disposing of them.
16. In Tennessee, consumers cannot dispose of rechargeable batteries by throwing them away.

It is also illegal to throw a battery used more than once in the previous three years in the state of Tennessee.

Therefore, residents are supposed to dispose of their batteries after three years to ensure they recycle them responsibly.

17. In Rhode Island, residents should dispose of batteries in a safe environment.
18. In South Dakota, the law prohibits people from throwing batteries at the back of a truck or other cars that have not been in use for the last one year.

As the above laws have highlighted, there are so many ways you can dispose of your old car battery.

Therefore, if you are looking forward to disposing of your battery safely and protecting the environment, you can contact your local recycling center and have them dispose of it on your behalf.

Best Methods for Disposing Car Batteries

Here are the best methods to help you dispose of your car batteries without causing harm to your health and polluting the environment

1. Recycle your car batteries– look for a recycling facility and take your old battery there for proper disposal. Since the law requires to lead to be removed from the battery before recycling, a recycling facility will be the best option, and some will pay you for your old battery.
2. Call a local law enforcement agency– you should call to ask them to recommend a good place for taking your old battery.
3. Enquire from your local recycling centre if they accept old car batteries for some cash– sometimes they offer money for your old batteries, so it is always a good idea to ask before you dispose of your battery elsewhere.
4. Sell your old battery online– you can look out for sites like Craigslist or eBay and sell your battery. The sites are free, so you do not have to worry about paying cash upfront.
5. Get a portable battery charger for use at home-if other options do not work; the charger will help you jumpstart your car when the battery is not functioning correctly.

 Is It Legal to Throw Car Batteries in the Ocean- Final Thoughts

It takes about 3- 4 years for a standard battery to complete its life span. After serving its time, you should get a new one and dispose of the worn-out battery.

There are so many ways you can dispose it. Some methods might be harmful to the environment; hence they are illegal to use.

Is it legal to throw a battery in the ocean?

As already discussed in this article, it is illegal. If you throw your battery in the ocean, its chemicals pollute the water; when the water is polluted and acidic, it becomes a threat to aquatic animals. The lead from the battery is also a threat to human health.

Therefore, if you were thinking of throwing your battery in the ocean, you should change your mind and use a friendly method to your health and a less harmful method to the environment.