AutoZone offers value for your dead car battery in two primary ways: you can receive a $10 gift card simply for bringing in an old battery, or you can get your core charge returned when you purchase a new battery and exchange the old one.
Getting Value for Your Old Battery at AutoZone
When you bring a dead or old car battery to AutoZone, they provide an incentive for proper disposal and recycling. This process typically falls into one of two scenarios:
1. Receiving a Gift Card Without a New Battery Purchase
If you have an old car battery that you just want to dispose of, without buying a new one, AutoZone will give you a $10 gift card. This is a straightforward way to get some value for an unused battery lying around.
- What you receive: A gift card valued at $10.
- Condition: Applicable for any old battery you bring in for disposal.
2. Core Charge Return When Purchasing a New Battery
When you buy a new car battery, most retailers, including AutoZone, typically apply a "core charge" to the purchase price. This charge acts as a deposit to encourage customers to return their old battery for recycling. When you bring your old battery back, this core charge is refunded to you.
- What happens: The core charge you paid when purchasing the new battery is returned.
- When to do it: You can bring in your old battery at the time of purchasing a new one, or afterward, to have the core charge refunded.
- Benefit: This effectively reduces the overall cost of your new battery by the amount of the core charge.
Summary of AutoZone's Battery Exchange Options
Here's a quick overview of what AutoZone offers for your dead battery:
| Scenario | What AutoZone Gives You |
|---|---|
| Bringing in an old battery only (no new purchase) | $10 Gift Card |
| Bringing in an old battery when purchasing a new one | Core Charge Returned (refund of initial deposit) |
Why AutoZone Offers Value for Old Batteries
AutoZone's policy of accepting old batteries and providing a return value or gift card is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility. Car batteries contain hazardous materials like lead and sulfuric acid, which are harmful if not disposed of properly. By offering incentives, AutoZone encourages customers to recycle these batteries, ensuring that they are processed in an environmentally sound manner and that valuable materials can be reused.
Practical Tip: When transporting a dead battery, ensure it's kept upright and secured to prevent spills. It's also advisable to wear gloves for safety.
