If you run an auto shop or fleet operation in Sacramento, you know the headache. Dead batteries pile up. They take up space in your shop. And California law says you can't just toss them in the dumpster.

Here’s the thing — we make it simple. Willis Recycling provides vehicle battery recycling in Sacramento and surrounding areas. We come to you, pick up your spent batteries, and handle all the compliance paperwork. No hassle on your end.

What We Pick Up

Lead-acid batteries are our specialty. These are the standard car and truck batteries you see every day—the ones that start engines and power electrical systems. Every auto shop and fleet depot generates them.

We also handle:

Why the focus on lead-acid batteries? They're actually highly recyclable. According to Battery Council International, lead-acid batteries have a 99% recycling rate in the United States [1]. That makes them the most recycled consumer product in America. The lead, plastic, and acid inside can all be reused to make new batteries [2].

But here's the catch. California treats these batteries as hazardous waste. You need to handle them properly. The state increased penalties for illegal disposal back in 2018. Businesses that dump batteries improperly can face fines up to $70,000 per day, per violation under Assembly Bill 245 [3]. That's not a risk worth taking.

Why Sacramento Businesses Use Our Service

Think about your typical week. Batteries come off vehicles during repairs. They stack up in a corner of your shop. You mean to deal with them, but there's always another car waiting.

Fleet operations have it even worse. When you're replacing batteries across multiple vehicles during scheduled maintenance, you can end up with dozens at once.

Here’s what makes mobile vehicle battery recycling Sacramento businesses trust worth it:

You save time. No loading batteries into your truck. No driving across town to a recycling center. No waiting in line to drop them off.

You stay compliant. California has specific rules for businesses. If you handle more than 10 batteries per year, you need to keep records [4]. We provide all the documentation you need.

You avoid liability. Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid and lead. If they leak or get damaged, you've got a contamination problem. We handle transport following all Department of Transportation regulations [4].

Most of our clients schedule regular pickups. Some want us weekly, others monthly. It depends on how many batteries you go through.

How Our Pickup Works

We keep it straightforward. When you're ready for a pickup, you give us a call or send an email.

We'll ask a few basic questions:

For Sacramento businesses, we can often schedule same-week service. During busy fleet maintenance cycles, we can scale up to handle larger volumes.

For vehicle battery recycling Sacramento operations, we often schedule same-week service. During busy fleet maintenance cycles, we can scale up for larger volumes.

On pickup day, our truck arrives at your facility. We count the batteries and document everything. This creates your compliance paper trail. For shipments over 10 batteries, California requires either a hazardous waste manifest or a bill of lading [4]. We handle that paperwork.

The whole process usually takes 20-40 minutes, depending on volume and access.

What Happens to Your Batteries

This part's actually pretty cool. Lead-acid batteries are one of the circular economy success stories.

About 80% of a new lead-acid battery is made from recycled materials [2]. When we pick up your spent batteries through our vehicle battery recycling Sacramento program, they go to certified recycling facilities. There, they're broken down into three main components:

Lead plates and terminals. The lead gets melted down and purified. It can be infinitely recycled without losing quality. In fact, about 83% of the lead used in new batteries comes from recycling [2].

Plastic cases. These get shredded, washed, and melted into pellets. The recycled plastic goes back into new battery cases.

Sulfuric acid. This gets neutralized or converted into sodium sulfate for detergents and other products.

Nothing goes to waste. That's why the recycling rate is so high.

Fair Compensation for Commercial Volumes

Let's talk about the money side. For qualifying commercial volumes, we provide fair compensation based on current market conditions.

What affects the value? Several factors:

We don't publish fixed pricing because the market changes. When we visit your facility, we'll evaluate your specific situation and discuss options. Some businesses prefer revenue-sharing arrangements. Others just want free pickup with no hassle.

Either way, you're avoiding disposal costs and potentially generating some return from materials that used to be waste. 

Whether you prefer a revenue-sharing setup or free pickup, our vehicle battery recycling Sacramento program helps you turn waste into value while staying compliant.

Staying Legal in California

California takes battery recycling seriously. The state's Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Act created specific requirements [5].

For consumers buying new batteries, there's a $2 California battery fee [5]. That's collected at point of sale. But that's on the buying side.

For businesses recycling spent batteries, the main concern is proper handling. You cannot:

Breaking these rules brings serious penalties. That's why proper documentation matters. We provide:

Keep these records for at least three years [4]. If there's ever a compliance audit, you'll be covered.

Sacramento Coverage

We serve the greater Sacramento area, including surrounding communities. Our service model works best for commercial operations within our primary coverage zone. If you're searching for vehicle battery recycling Sacramento, our team is ready to help your business stay clean, compliant, and efficient.

Auto repair shops are a natural fit. You're constantly pulling batteries during service. Fleet maintenance facilities too—especially when you're doing scheduled replacements across multiple vehicles.

Some of our typical clients include:

If you're outside Sacramento proper but still in the region, give us a call. We can discuss whether mobile pickup makes sense for your location and volume.

Getting Started

Ready to set up battery pickup for your business? Here's what happens next.

Initial contact. Reach out by phone or email. We'll discuss your operation and typical battery volumes.

Site visit (if needed). For larger operations or ongoing service, we might do a quick site visit. This helps us understand access, storage setup, and logistics.

First pickup. We schedule your initial pickup and handle all the documentation.

Ongoing service (optional). Many businesses find regular scheduled pickups work best. We can set up weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service based on your needs.

There's no long-term contract required. Some clients prefer regular service. Others call us when batteries accumulate. Either approach works.

Why Recycling Matters

Here's some perspective on the bigger picture. The United States keeps about 160 million lead-acid batteries out of landfills every year through recycling [1]. That's a massive amount of lead, plastic, and acid that gets reused instead of buried.

For your business, proper recycling means: Reducing your carbon footprint. Conserving natural resources. Preventing hazardous waste contamination.

The lead-acid battery industry has perfected the closed-loop system. Your old battery becomes someone else's new battery. It's one of the few products where recycling actually works as intended.

Common Questions

What if some batteries are damaged or leaking? We can handle damaged batteries, but they need proper containment. When you call for pickup, let us know if you have any compromised batteries. We'll provide guidance on how to store them safely until pickup.

Do you take batteries from RVs, boats, or equipment? Yes, we handle all types of lead-acid batteries. Marine batteries, RV batteries, forklift batteries—if it's a commercial volume, we can pick it up.

How quickly can you respond? For Sacramento businesses, we typically schedule within the same week. If you have an urgent situation (like preparing for an inspection), call us directly and we'll do our best to accommodate.

What about the small batteries from key fobs or electronics? Our service focuses on vehicle batteries and bulk automotive components. Those small button batteries or household batteries aren't part of our commercial pickup program.

Can we get documentation for our environmental reports? Absolutely. We provide comprehensive documentation that you can use for sustainability reporting, compliance audits, or environmental certifications.

Contact Willis Recycling

We've been helping Sacramento businesses handle battery recycling for years. Our vehicle battery recycling Sacramento service takes the headache out of compliance and turns waste into value.

Call us to discuss your specific needs. We'll answer your questions, provide an honest assessment of whether our service fits your operation, and schedule your first pickup if you're ready to move forward.

Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does battery recycling cost for businesses in Sacramento?

For qualifying commercial volumes, Willis Recycling offers free pickup service. Depending on your battery quantity and quality, you may even receive fair compensation. We evaluate each business individually based on volume, consistency, and current market conditions for lead and other materials.

What documentation do I need to keep for California compliance?

California requires businesses handling more than 10 batteries annually to maintain records for three years. This includes manifests or bills of lading, weight tickets, and dated documentation showing batteries went to proper recycling facilities. Willis Recycling provides all necessary paperwork with each pickup.

Can you pick up alternators and starters along with batteries?

Yes. We accept alternators, starters, and other automotive electrical components during battery pickups. These parts contain recyclable metals like copper and aluminum. Most auto shops find it convenient to have one service handle all their electrical component recycling.

What's the minimum number of batteries needed for pickup?

We focus on commercial volumes that make mobile pickup practical. Typically this means auto shops, fleet depots, or other businesses generating batteries regularly. During your initial call, we'll discuss your specific situation and whether our service is a good fit.

How long does the pickup process take?

Most pickups take 20-40 minutes depending on battery quantity and site access. We count batteries, complete documentation, and load everything onto our truck. For regular customers with established procedures, it's often even quicker.

What happens if batteries leak or get damaged before pickup?

Lead-acid batteries can leak sulfuric acid if cracked or tipped over. If you have damaged batteries, let us know when scheduling pickup. We can provide guidance on safe containment until we arrive. Damaged batteries can be transported with intact ones when properly handled.

Do you serve areas outside Sacramento?

Our primary service area covers Sacramento and surrounding communities. For businesses in nearby regions like Roseville, Elk Grove, or Davis, contact us to discuss whether mobile pickup is available for your location. Service availability depends on distance and volume.

Why is lead-acid battery recycling so important?

Lead-acid batteries contain toxic lead and corrosive sulfuric acid. Improper disposal contaminates soil and groundwater. California regulations prohibit landfill disposal because of these environmental risks. Fortunately, batteries are 100% recyclable. The 99% recycling rate proves the system works when businesses participate properly.

Can I recycle batteries myself instead of using pickup service?

You can transport batteries to a recycling facility yourself, but you must follow hazardous materials transport regulations. For businesses handling more than 10 batteries, this requires manifests, proper loading procedures, and DOT compliance. Most Sacramento businesses find mobile pickup simpler and more cost-effective than self-transport.

Works Cited

[1] Battery Council International. "New Study Confirms U.S.' Most Recycled Consumer Product - Lead Batteries - Maintains Remarkable Milestone: 99% Recycling Rate." Published: 2023-07-12. https://batterycouncil.org/news/press-release/new-study-confirms-lead-batteries-maintain-remarkable-99-recycling-rate/. Accessed: 2025-11-07.

[2] Recycling Product News. "U.S. lead-acid battery industry achieves 99 percent recycling rate." Published: 2023-07-13. https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/40515/us-lead-acid-battery-industry-achieves-sustained-99-percent-recycling-rate-says-new-study. Accessed: 2025-11-07.

[3] Lion Law Firm. "California Nearly Triples Hazardous Waste Penalties." Published: 2017-11. https://www.lion.com/lion-news/november-2017/california-nearly-triples-hazardous-waste-penalties. Accessed: 2025-11-07.

[4] Department of Toxic Substances Control. "DTSC Management of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries Fact Sheet." https://dtsc.ca.gov/management-of-spent-lead-acid-batteries/. Accessed: 2025-11-07.

[5] California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. "Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Act of 2016 - Chapter 6.5." https://cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol4/labrf/labrf-ch6-5-all.html. Accessed: 2025-11-07.