Sell Lithium-Ion & Gel Batteries

Dead and end-of-life batteries are worth real money as scrap, and most people and businesses either pay to dump them or let them pile up in a store room. A flat car battery, a bank of failed solar gel cells, a retired UPS string or a worn-out forklift traction battery all hold recoverable lead and metals, and lithium packs also carry valuable cobalt, nickel and lithium salts. We buy those batteries at our yard for recycling.

We are a direct scrap buyer, not a battery retailer or installer. We do not sell, supply or install new batteries of any kind, no LiFePO4 packs, no gel cells, no inverters. What we do is take your dead, damaged or replaced batteries off your hands, weigh them on our own calibrated weighbridge, and pay you by same-day EFT. This guide covers the batteries we buy, how we grade and price them, how to prep and deliver them safely, and how selling to us works.

Batteries are hazardous and tightly regulated, so we handle them under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act and the Second-Hand Goods Act. Every load is bought directly from you, paid by bank transfer rather than cash, and recycled through licensed channels rather than dumped.

Quick Facts & Key Takeaways

• We buy scrap and dead batteries only, including lithium-ion (and LiFePO4), deep-cycle gel, AGM, car and vehicle lead-acid, UPS or standby, and industrial or forklift traction batteries.
• We do not sell or install new batteries. We are a recycler and scrap buyer, full stop.
• Most batteries pay around R8 to R15 per kilogram at our weighbridge, with lead-acid car and solar units in the R8 to R12 band. See the table below for grade detail.
• Lithium-ion has low bulk scrap value and is priced on the cobalt, nickel and lithium recovered from it, so we quote lithium packs on inspection.
• Damaged or swollen lithium batteries are a fire risk, so message us photos first, keep the terminals covered, and never short them.
• We weigh on a verified weighbridge, pay by same-day EFT (never cash), and need a valid SA ID or passport plus proof of address under the Second-Hand Goods Act.

Batteries we buy

The chemistry and the metal inside a battery decide its value. We buy all of the following at our yard at:

• Car and vehicle lead-acid batteries are the flooded starter batteries from cars, bakkies, trucks and plant. The lead inside them is the main earner, and you can sell your lead-acid batteries and lead scrap on the same ticket.
• Deep-cycle gel and solar batteries (VRLA) are the sealed gel cells that back up home and business inverter systems. When a solar bank fails or is replaced, the old cells come to us.
• AGM lead-acid batteries are absorbed glass mat units from gate motors, alarms, smaller UPS backups and vehicles.
• UPS and standby batteries are the sealed lead-acid strings from server rooms, offices and telecoms cabinets.
• Industrial and forklift traction batteries are the heavy lead cells from warehouse forklifts, pallet movers and scrubbers, dense and valuable by weight; see selling forklift batteries for detail.
• Lithium-ion packs, including LiFePO4, cover dead or end-of-life lithium batteries from solar storage, tools, e-bikes and equipment, priced on recovered content rather than bulk weight.

If you are clearing out old solar equipment, you can also sell scrap solar panels and inverters alongside the batteries on the same visit.

How we grade and price scrap batteries

Every load is priced on the battery type, the weight, and current market rates for recovered lead and metals, which move daily. Always ask us for today's figure or check our scrap battery and lead prices before you come in. As a guide, batteries sit around R8 to R15 per kilogram at our weighbridge:

Scrap battery prices (per kg, at our weighbridge)

Lithium-ion batteries are the exception. Unlike lead-acid, the raw pack has low bulk scrap value; the worth is in the cobalt, nickel and lithium salts recovered during processing, which depends on the cell chemistry and condition. For that reason we quote lithium packs on inspection rather than a flat per-kilogram rate, so send us photos and details first. You can compare lithium battery prices for background, but treat any headline figure as indicative only.

Whole batteries are weighed as they are. You do not need to break them open, and you should never attempt to.

Handling and prepping batteries safely

Batteries store energy and hold corrosive acid or reactive chemistry even when they are "dead", so safe handling matters more here than with ordinary scrap:

1. Damaged or swollen lithium cells are a fire risk. If a lithium battery is puffed, cracked, leaking or heat-damaged, do not just load it in your boot. Message us photos first and we will tell you how to bring it in safely, or arrange the right handling.
2. Keep terminals covered and never short them. Tape over exposed terminals, and never let tools, keys or other batteries bridge the posts. A shorted battery can arc, heat up or catch alight.
3. Keep batteries upright and contained. Stand lead-acid and gel units upright so acid cannot leak, and keep them out of the rain and away from ignition sources.
4. Do not mix chemistries loosely. Keep lithium packs separate from lead-acid where you can, so we can grade each correctly and handle the lithium with the right care.
5. Send details before a big load. For quantities, such as a pallet of UPS cells, a set of forklift batteries or a scrap solar bank, message us the types and rough weights so we can quote and plan collection.

How selling to us works

The process is quick and transparent:

1. Send us the details. Message us on WhatsApp, use the website form, or email reclaimetaltraders@mail.com with the battery types, rough weights and photos, especially for any damaged lithium. We have no phone line; everything is by WhatsApp, form or email.
2. Get today's rate. We quote the current price before you commit, so there are no surprises at the weighbridge.
3. Bring it in or book a collection. Deliver to our yard at, or, for a large load, ask us to collect and the surrounding.
4. We weigh on a verified weighbridge. You see the weight and the grade, so the offer is clear and verifiable.
5. Bring your paperwork. The Second-Hand Goods Act requires a valid SA ID or passport and proof of address for every transaction.
6. Get paid by same-day EFT. Once the load is weighed and the paperwork is in order, we settle straight to your bank account, never cash.

Once recycled, the lead from spent batteries is recovered and recast into new metal, the acid is neutralised safely, and lithium packs are processed to recover their lithium salts, cobalt and nickel. You can sell your other scrap metal to us on the same visit, or check today's scrap metal prices first.

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy dead or swollen lithium batteries?

Yes, we buy dead and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, including LiFePO4 packs, for recycling. Swollen, cracked or damaged lithium cells are a fire risk, so message us photos first and keep the terminals covered before you bring them in. We quote lithium on inspection because its value is in the cobalt, nickel and lithium recovered from it, not bulk weight.

How much do you pay for scrap batteries?

Scrap batteries generally pay around R8 to R15 per kilogram at our weighbridge, with car and solar lead-acid units in the R8 to R12 band and industrial forklift batteries up to R15. A standard 30kg lead-acid battery works out to roughly R240 to R360. Rates track the daily lead and metal market, so ask us for today's figure.

Do you sell or install new batteries?

No. We are a scrap buyer and recycler only, so we do not sell, supply or install new batteries, inverters or solar equipment of any kind. What we do is buy your dead, scrap and end-of-life batteries for recycling and pay you by same-day EFT.

What do I need to sell scrap batteries to you?

Under the Second-Hand Goods Act you need a valid SA ID or passport and proof of address, and payment is by same-day EFT rather than cash. Message us the battery types, rough weights and photos first, especially for damaged lithium, and we will confirm a rate and arrange drop-off or collection.