In This Guide: Why It's Illegal to Trash It · Where to Drop It Off in Killeen · Retailer Take-Back Rules · Common Mistakes · FAQ
The truck won't start, the mechanic swaps in a new battery, and now there's a six-pound block of lead and acid sitting in the garage. Most people in Killeen assume it goes in the trash cart with everything else. It doesn't, and the city will not pick it up curbside either.
A dead car battery is one of the few household items where Texas has an actual state law attached to it, not just a city guideline.
Why This Matters
Under Texas Health and Safety Code and 30 TAC §328.14, discarding a lead-acid battery in the trash or a landfill is illegal. It's a Class C misdemeanor. The flip side of that law is it protects you too: any retailer in Killeen that sells car batteries is legally required to accept your old one, one-for-one, when you buy a new one, whether you want the credit or not.
Step 1: Know Your Legal Options Before You Move It
You have three legal paths in Killeen: return it to a retailer when buying a replacement, drop it free at the Killeen Recycling Center, or sell it to a scrap yard for cash. There's no permit needed for any of these. Wrap the terminals in tape or a plastic bag before you move it. A battery that's cracked or leaking should go straight into a plastic tub for the drive over, not loose in the trunk.
| Location | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen Recycling Center | 111 E Avenue F, Killeen, TX 76541 | Not listed — call ahead to confirm | Free |
| AutoZone (Rancier Ave) | 103 E Rancier Ave, Killeen, TX 76541 | (254) 634-1400 | Free (1-for-1 take-back) |
| AutoZone (Veterans Memorial) | 502 E Veterans Memorial Blvd, Killeen, TX 76541 | (254) 526-7757 | Free (1-for-1 take-back) |
| NAPA Auto Parts | 1200 E Stan Schlueter Loop, Ste 101A, Killeen, TX 76542 | (254) 526-0506 | Free (1-for-1 take-back) |
| Continental Battery / Battery Store | 600 E Central Texas Expy, Killeen, TX 76541 | (254) 634-2287 | Call ahead to confirm |
Curbside and Bulk Pickup
Skip it entirely for this item. Killeen's bulky item collection covers furniture and large appliances, not batteries, and setting one out at the curb is itself the illegal disposal the state law is written to stop.
Other Options
Scrap yards around Bell County will often pay a few dollars per battery for the lead content, and prices move with the scrap metal market. Batteries Plus is sometimes listed as a Killeen recycling partner, but the nearest confirmed store is actually in Harker Heights, not inside Killeen city limits, so call before driving over expecting a Killeen address.
Common Mistakes
People assume the trash hauler will just take it if it's small enough to fit in the cart. It won't, and the driver can legally refuse the whole cart if they spot it. Others let a cracked battery sit in a hot trunk for a week before dealing with it, which is exactly when acid leaks start. And some skip the retailer return because they think there's a fee involved. There isn't. It's free and it's required.
Tex's Take
This is the easiest hazardous item on the list to deal with, and most people overthink it. The law already did the work for you. Walk into AutoZone, hand over the battery, walk out. No fee, no appointment, no research required. Every other item on this site takes more effort than this one does.
FAQ
Can I put a car battery in my recycling bin in Killeen?
No. Lead-acid batteries are excluded from the blue-cart program and from regular trash.
Do I have to buy a new battery to drop off the old one?
No. Retailers must take it back if you're buying a new one, but the Killeen Recycling Center and scrap yards will take it with no purchase required.
What happens if I just throw it away?
It's a Class C misdemeanor under Texas law, and most trash haulers will reject a cart if they spot one.
Can I get paid for an old car battery in Killeen?
Sometimes. Scrap yards pay based on current lead prices, so it's worth calling around instead of taking the first offer.
Data last verified August 2026 against the City of Killeen recycling page, TCEQ publications, and retailer store locators. Hours, fees, and accepted items can change without notice. Call ahead before making a trip.
The fastest option is also the correct one here. Call ahead to whichever AutoZone or NAPA is closest, confirm they'll take it without a purchase if that's what you need, and drop it off on your way somewhere else.
See also: Recycling a Computer Monitor in Killeen · Disposing of a Water Heater in Killeen · Household Hazardous Waste Disposal in Midland
0 Comments