When it comes to old car seats, there are several options available for disposal, depending on the condition of the seat. Here are some things you can do with old car seats:
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Recycle it: Some city recycling programs and local recycling plants accept used or expired car seats, but call to confirm before dropping yours off. If your seat is recyclable, youll likely have to take the seat cover and harness off to make it easier for the plant to dismantle the plastic and metal pieces.
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Trade it in: Some big-box stores like Target offer trade-in programs where you can exchange old car seats for gift cards or store credit towards a new car seat or other baby gear. These programs only run periodically, so check the stores website or call your local outpost to find out when the next trade-in event is happening.
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Donate it: If the car seat is in good condition, you can donate it to women’s shelters, local charities, church organizations, or child passenger safety technicians. However, be upfront about the condition of the seat so they know what they’re receiving. If the car seat is expired or damaged, it should not be donated.
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Proper Recycling Protocol: If your local recycling center doesnt take car seats, you can recycle it yourself. You should first call your local recycling center to see if they accept car seats and how they would like to receive them. If recycling is not feasible, youll need to take steps to ensure that an expired or unsafe car seat is disposed of properly.
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Throw it away: Expired or damaged car seats should be taken to a landfill or transfer station.
Its important to note that car seats expire and should not be used beyond their expiration date. Additionally, car seats that have been in an accident, have been recalled, or have been exposed to extreme temperatures should not be reused or donated.
