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Dealers won't take back battery for recycling

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by hawkmoon77, Mar 23, 2010.

  1. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    Well, I should say most won't. Story is that I have a 2002 hybrid battery from a wrecked car, and the scrap yard wouldn't take it. My research revealed that Toyota is offering money for returning the battery.

    I called the number on the battery, and it is to the main customer experience center. After much effort, and many people telling me they don't know what to do, finally, someone said, take it up with the dealer as it is a dealer program.

    I caleld every dealer in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Half dont' want anythign to do with it and weren't at all helpful.

    The other half said they'd be happy to take it, but that they keep the $200 Toyota gives them to offset their costs for the recycling. No one, it seams was willing to give anything of value in exchange for what is a pretty valuable part (in terms of the value of the recovered metals from the battery).

    Does anyone have any experience with this? This seems at odds with every publication online that says that Toyota offers a "bounty" of sorts for the return of these batteries. I also understand that the value of the nickel and cobalt alone exceeds 350 bucks once recycled.

    If anyone has any insight on how to get a fair scrap value for the battery, please let me know. (Oh, and ebay is not an option).

    Thanks,
    joe
     
    #1 hawkmoon77, Mar 23, 2010
  2. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    Why are posting in a Gen III forum area ?
     
    #2 Airbalancer, Mar 23, 2010
  3. Jolly Paul

    Jolly Paul Member

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    Fair value is what someone is willing to pay for it. Your own experience indicates that value is the service of the dealer taking what is essentially scrap/hazardous waste off your hands for no charge.

    To be used as a replacement part, labor must be spent to verify it is in working order and defect free. Since it is old and from a wreck, it probably is only good for recycling. The labor to move and track the battery from your possession to the recycling facility and actually process it must be less than the material value.

    It does not seem unreasonable to me that Toyota only offers $200 and only deals with dealerships or the dealer would want the $200 from Toyota for acting as middle man.
     
    #3 Jolly Paul, Mar 23, 2010
  4. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    Habit... I own a 2010, so all my other posts were here. I'll move it.
     
    #4 hawkmoon77, Mar 23, 2010
  5. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

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    Just FYI - The 30+ pounds of nickel, the cobalt, and the other metals are worth much more than $200 once reclaimed, and the reclaiming process is economical enough to justify the program.

    An update, one dealer called me back and said that they extend $150 to scrapyards and other repair shops, just not to retail customers. Seems a bit unfair.
     
    #5 hawkmoon77, Mar 23, 2010
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    So make a deal with your local repair shop.
    Maybe a 50/50 split or something? At least you'd get something.

    I have seen them on Craigslist as well, but you may not get much for it there either.
     
    #6 ericbecky, Mar 23, 2010
  7. eaglesight333

    eaglesight333 Senior Member

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    If you are just looking to recycle it, try using www.earth911.com It might help. Otherwise, see if your city/county has an environmental group. They might know of a place. Up here in IL, we have a free electonics recycling center, and a metal recycling company. The metal recycler pays by weight and metal type. But that might be a bit far for you. :)
     
    #7 eaglesight333, Mar 23, 2010
  8. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I believe the $200 credit for your old battery pack is when you have the battery pack replaced at the dealer. They will not give you $200 if you bring it to them for recycle.
     
    #8 bedrock8x, Mar 23, 2010
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Call these folks:

    Remanufactured Hybrid Vehicle Battery Packs

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Mar 23, 2010
  10. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

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    very nice Bob, how did you find these guys? seems like a good find.
     
    #10 mitch672, Mar 23, 2010
  11. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    And if they won't take it but you still want to just get rid
    of the pack, call your nearest batteriesplus.com outlet.
    .
    _H*
     
    #11 hobbit, Mar 23, 2010
  12. New_Yorker

    New_Yorker New Member

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    Do what most do with unwanted Cats, wait till late at night drive down some deserted road, and stop long enough to leave it alongside the road. In a year or so a road crew will discover it, and probably pitch into the local landfill, because unlike the cat it won't head off in search of food. But thanks for at least attempting to do 'The Right Thing', just remember that has often killed many a well meaning innocent person.
     
    #12 New_Yorker, Mar 24, 2010
  13. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I've talked with them they have expressed interest in being at Green Drive Expo this summer in Madison. They seem like nice enough people on the phone. I have not met them in person yet.

    Let us know your feedback about them if you ultimately end up working with them.
     
    #13 ericbecky, Mar 24, 2010
  14. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    *** Moved to Gen I forum. ***
     
    #14 HTMLSpinnr, Mar 25, 2010
  15. adric22

    adric22 Ev and Hybrid Enthusiast

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    I recently got rid of one. I took all the modules out and took them down to Batteries Plus. They were happy to take them. Then I recycled the metal case too.
     
    #15 adric22, Mar 25, 2010
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