Whether you are looking for new seats for your car, or you are just looking to recycle, you may want to know what to do with old car seats. There are many different options available, and you may be surprised at what you can find.
Reuse
Taking the time to recycle your old car seat is a great way to preserve the planet. The process entails breaking your seat down into individual components. The best part is that many of these components are recyclable.
To get started, you’ll want to remove all the straps, padding, and metal parts from your seat. You can do this with a screwdriver or a hammer.
You should also take the time to mark your seat with a label. Some cities have car seat recycling programs, but it may depend on where you live. You can also find a recycle center online or by calling your local waste management company.
Recycle
Getting rid of old car seats is a good idea, but it’s not always easy. There are many things to consider, including the expiration date and the materials that make up the seat. You also want to consider how the seat will be disposed of.
Some retailers will recycle car seats, but not all. The best way to ensure you’re getting rid of your seat properly is to check with your local recycling program.
Some retailers will give you a discount for trading in your old seat. This is a good deal for parents looking to replace their seats. However, you may have to wait months to see the rewards.
Trade-in
During the Target Car Seat Trade-in event, parents can drop off their old car seats in Target stores. The materials from these seats are then recycled into construction materials.
This promotion is available in most Target stores. Shoppers can also trade in their old baby equipment. The program is good for the environment and is a great way to save money on baby equipment.
Target’s trade-in program accepts all types of car seats. Target and its partner company, Waste Management, recycle car seats and baby gear into plastic buckets and pallets. This program has recycled over 29.6 million pounds of materials since 2016.
The Target Car Seat Trade-in event is a great way to upgrade your baby’s equipment. Target also provides information about car seat safety.
Donate
Having an old car seat lying around is not the end of the world. There are numerous charities and programs that will gladly take a used car seat off your hands. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to bag some cash in the process.
The best way to go about it is to find a free car seat exchange. There are literally thousands of car seat swapping events held all over the country. Some of the best ones happen to be in your own neighborhood. Some of the larger charities are staffed by volunteers who are eager to help out. Some of the more reputable ones are even open to the general public.
Expired
Expired car seats are no longer safe to use. These seats are unsafe to use because they can degrade over time, especially in harsh weather conditions.
If you are unsure about the expiry date of your car seat, you can find out by looking at the date of manufacture on the back of the shell. Some seats may also have an expiration date printed on the plastic or sticker on the seat.
Car seats usually have a six or seven year expiration date. This is the recommended expiration date by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, the expiration date is determined by the manufacturer, which can vary from product to product.
Crash-damaged
Often, the best thing to do after a crash is to replace your child’s car seat. Even if you were only involved in a moderate accident, the seat may have been damaged.
In order to properly dispose of your old car seat, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also check out the manufacturer’s website for further information.
Once you’ve gotten the seat out of the vehicle, you can start separating the plastic shell from the foam. You can then recycle the plastic shell.
Some cities have car seat recycling programs. If your city does not have a program, you can recycle the plastic shell and other plastic parts in your local junk yard.
