If youre in a household with multiple children, your garage might be stuffed with old car seats with no place to go. Car seats have expiration dates, which might make some parents suspicious that manufacturers are just trying to make us buy more stuff. It took my husband and me a curse-inducing hour with an electric drill, screwdriver, and hammer to remove a fraction of the metal pieces embedded in the plastic.
First, theyre too big for their infant car seats; then theyve outgrown their toddler seats and boosters, too. They, Child Link strives to make human services available to all children and youth who need support. All Rights Reserved. After researching dozens of seats and testing 12, weve concluded that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is the best convertible car seat for most families. As it turns out, there are a ton of different routes to take. According to TerraCycle, theyll take any car seats but not booster seats. Recycle the bulky plastic body and all-metal pieces. After extensive research and field-testing of eight models, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families. 
offers education and resources to people in need and helps them make informed decisions. Little Rock provides a car seat recycling option free of cost. Walker recommends the new owners also register the seat to receive updates on recalls, which can be done with the registration card (if you still have it) or through theNHTSA. Therefore, cost-benefit decisions need to be made. The program helps assist all veterans along with their families and has been going strong since 1979. It should not have any missing parts, or parts that youve jerry-rigged. Only the original owner will know the full history of the seat and can vouch that its never been in an accident. WeeCycle is a nonprofit organization serving the Denver metro area. Pregnancy Centers are always in need of baby items such as car seats. As for my daughters car seats, I tried to investigate their fate by emailing the NYC Department of Sanitations press office. Target often announces these events on their website when theyre expected to occur. These trade-in events allow you to bring in an old or unusable car seat and get a coupon in return. Many children's hospitals and hospitals with maternity wards will accept car seat donations, providing your car seat is in good working order. The only way I see that car seats would be recycled by a municipality is if theyre going to cherry pick the parts of the car seat that are valuable or have any value to them once theyre separated, said Brett Stevens, vice president of material sales and procurement at TerraCycle. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. To use the coupon, youll need to enroll in the free Target Circle rewards program (you can sign up there or just go here to create an account). But what to do with a used car seat after it's served its purpose? After seeking the advice of a child-passenger safety expert, a specialty recycler, and my local department of sanitation, I determined the best practices for donating and recycling a seat. 
Those who wish to partake often get a gift card in return typically, its for $30 but thats subject to change, especially based on location. That's a lot of plastic and cloth taking up space at the dump. Most programs will recycle only the metal and some of the plastic parts of the frame, which have more value than the foam and fabric covers. While finding sustainable ways to dispose of your old car seat may take a bit of extra effort, it's definitely worth it. Short of that, use gentle cleansers like castile soap or diluted baby shampoo. Corporate subsidies allow TerraCycle to recycle less-profitable parts. Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. However, if youre using it again for your own family, it may be fine. You can verify the expiration date either by checking the seat label or consulting your user manual. The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol has teamed up with All Recycling to create a recycling program for car seats. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (Plus, its just the polite thing to do.). The best thing to do is to call Walmart and see if your local branch is offering the program. Sadly, many charities dont agree; they dont accept used car seats because its hard to be sure about the history of seats and they arent willing to take the risk. Bottom line, by recycling, donating, or trading in your old car seats, you help to keep roughly 180 million pounds of valuable material out of landfills each year. You can determine if your car seat has been recalled by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and entering the brand name and model of your car seat. Never do more than a spot clean of straps or harnesses. Very old seats should also be recycled instead of donated. Another option is car seat recycling. The definitive school supply list for every grade. Webbing, plastic, foam, buckles, etc., experience wear and tear over time that could weaken their ability to provide optimal crash protection. Infant seats (our favorite is the Chicco Keyfit 30) usually expire five to six years after the manufacture date. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info! Once a car seats been in a crash, much like a bike helmet or a motorcycle helmet, its no good, said Walker. Our purpose in the household donations program is to raise funds for our mission of supporting veterans, states their website. The next owners should be able to talk with you, ideally in person, about the seats history. All content found on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should also be sure to register the seat so you can be informed of any recalls. And sure, throwing it away seems the easiest option, but its certainly not the most earth-friendly and luckily, there are better options for what to do with old car seats: recycling and trade-in programs. These go into the trash. Maybe you should change your list to places to DONATE. Recycling ensures that its shelf life ends when it's no longer usable. After all, you dont want to compromise anyones safety. Car seats can be dropped off at the main entrance of, Yolo County Health and Human Services have partnered with the Davis Waste Removal Company to offer an alternative to handing down unsafe car seats or throwing away car seats that are no longer being used. They started this program in 2016 and its gained major popularity since then. None of the local waste management and recycling programs recycle baby gear specifically. Unsubscribe at any time. There are a few deciding factors on the various things you can do and a lot of it will depend on the seats condition and expiration date. Jeannie Mais Daughter Monaco Is Less Than Impressed With the Beach in This Hilarious & Super-CuteVideo, Drew Scotts Hilarious Resting Dad Face Photo Perfectly Describes Every New ParentsStruggles, Jessica Alba and Her Lookalike Daughters are Glowing on Trip toItaly, Shawn Johnson Shares the Adorable Way Shes Keeping Her Kids Entertained ThisSummer, Andy Cohen Shared the Cutest Picture of His Daughter Lucy & Hinted at Where She Got HerName. , People in Arizona can donate their gently used car seats to the. Ask Wirecutter: How Should I Clear the Piles of Dangerous Snow Off My Car? Having said that, we've also done the research to compile a list of places that do recycle car seats in the US. Washing the interiors is also a good move to help prevent the passing of any germs. While trying to figure out what to do with old car seats, you might not think of the number one solution recycling. Target ran two buyback programsin 2017 where it partnered with TerraCycle, a company that specializes in hard-to-recycle items. Checking all the boxes on this list can be a tall order for the average parent. SafeConvertibleCarSeats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. They accept gently used clothes from birth-teens and baby items such as cribs, car seats, strollers, and bedding. According to the retailer, the old seats will be recycled and turned into items like plastic buckets, pallets, and carpet padding. Remove the car seat cover and any padding underneath it. In Connecticut, every municipality has a local recycling contact. Consult your user manual to determine the best way to clean your car seat. Oftentimes, theyll also give you a discount for your trade-in, making it a great deal for parents looking to replace their seats with something new. After all, it really does take a village to raise a child, so any help is appreciated. Look for the date in the manual or on the seat. We researched over 50 booster car seats and tested 12, and we found the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus performed the best and is convenient to use. The expiration date is usually either printed on a sticker or embossed into the plastic. You may instead just want to hold onto that seat until the next free car-seat trade-in program next year. Bring in your unwanted seat and youll get a coupon for 20 percent off a new car seat or stroller. According to Recycle Your Car Seat, curbside recycling programs do not typically accept childrens car seats, even if you take them apart first. But, its important to find the solution that works best for you. You can give away or sell a used seat, but it better be in near-perfect condition. For many parents, the answer ends up being something like let that chunk of plastic sit in the corner of your garage collecting dust until you figure out what to do with it. Then, eventually, you cave and toss it, and it sits in a landfill with countless other car seats. When your baby needs a new car seat, it can be a challenge to figure out what to do with your old one. All old car seats traded in at Target are recycled and turned into different products like pallets, buckets, and construction materials (2). By recycling, youre ensuring that your old car seat doesnt take up unnecessary space at the dump. Earlier, we discussed not selling or donating a car seat if it has been in an accident, is expired, or was recalled. Next recycling day, the truck didnt pick up the shells, and I spent a week anxiously imagining them decomposing right there on the sidewalk, weathering a millennium of snowstorms and humid New York City heat waves. Proceeds from the sale of donated items support Animal Lifeline, a special-needs no-kill animal shelter. Get the best deals and the best advice dropped right in your inbox. When I started searching for a convertible car seat I was overwhelmed by the choices out there. As far as we can see, the only store that still does this is Target, but there may be others. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. To find out if your car seat qualifies for reuse, answer the questions on Consumer Reports website. This April 22 through May 5, Target will host its first trade-in program of 2018. Cut the harness straps out of the seat. The stories you care about, delivered daily. Their wish list includes new car seats; if you have a car seat that hasnt been used or you would like to donate a new car seat. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. Donating a car seat seems like a very reasonable idea; why throw something when it is in perfect working condition and can be used by one of the many parents who cant afford it, right? If you do need to send the car seat to a landfill, take it apart first (again, you dont want a family mistaking it for a giveaway and using it). Although they dont accept car seats all the time. If the seat isnt fit for donating, you dont want another family nabbing it. There are, however, a few guidelines to follow before doing so. In your list of places to RECYCLE a car seat (in Oklahoma) the only places listed are placed that will take donations of new or unexpired car seats. It takes a lot of effort to separate these materials and for private companies, it is just not profitable. So, its good to know that recycling this plastic can give it a second life. There are a few good answers when trying to figure out what to do with old car seats. Ways to Keep Your Childs Car Seat Cool in the Summer. Other manufacturers may print it inside the instruction manual. Below you'll find the Web's most comprehensive list of organizations in every US state where you can donate a car seat and recycle a car seat. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Lorrie Walker, training manager and technical advisor for the Buckle Up Program at Safe Kids Worldwide (which certifies Child Passenger Safety technicians), told me the seat should meet the following criteria: It should be within the expiration date. Our kids outgrow their baby gear almost as fast as we buy it. To schedule a shopping trip, email rcfpasecretary@gmail.com. So, keep your eyes peeled for trade-in events like this one. Then youll get a credit for either a $10 off or 10 percent off coupon to use toward a purchase on the Clek site. There are a couple of recycling options in Minnesota:, How to Get a Free Car Seat from Medicaid: Tips for Low-Income Families, How to Choose a Convertible Car Seat (2022): Complete Guide for New Parents, Safest Infant Car Seat (2022): Safety Ratings & Crash Test Results for 15 Best Infant Car Seats, Best Convertible Car Seats for Newborns: Our 4 Top Picks (2022), Best Convertible Car Seat for Small Cars (2022): The Top Model for Every Need, Safest Convertible Car Seat (2022): 30 Best Convertible Car Seats (with Safety Ratings). Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. TerraCycle also partners with a range of companies for free recycling programs for packaging, like snack bags and toothpaste tubes. However, you may also take your car seat apart and drop the metal and plastic parts as well as Styrofoam at the, Tyler Recycling Center: Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (903) 531-1388, A Woman's Choice takes new and/or slightly used baby clothing from newborn to size 5 Toddler, maternity clothes, baby accessories, cribs (with all parts and instructions) car seats (with all straps), and strollers. The plastic used in making these seats often lasts anywhere between six and 10 years before starting to get unpredictable. Currently, 12 states have recycling options for car seats; you can find a list of programs on RYCSs website. A rep from Target told me the company recycled nearly 80,000 seats, equaling over one million pounds, during one event alone. At a loss for better options, my husband and I tore our car seats apart, as best we could, and put the exoskeleton-like shells out with the recycling bags on the curb, hoping for the best. Buy a box from the site, with prices ranging from $116 for an 11x11x20 box to $217 for a 15x15x37 box, stuff your used baby gear inside, and ship it off. Walker told me a nightmare story about a child who was ejected from a car seat that the parents had bought at a yard sale. For furniture or other large items, call first at 515-288-7197. This April 22 through May 5, Target will host itsfirst trade-in program of 2018, this time partnered with a company called Waste Management. But most of them require more work than you might expect. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a fender bender might be okay, though.
Many of the recall items are generally fixable at home, theyre not difficult to do, said Walker. According to their website, were ranked Number One in the State for ensuring that the children in their care are placed into permanent homes with loving families. Here are a few things to keep in mind when throwing away old car seats. With two kids of my own, Im passionate about child safety! This told me nothing about where I can recycle a car seat that is past its expiration. These are made of woven threads that use tensile strength to provide just the right amount of "give" in a car accident. HOPE, Inc. Car seat plastic can take anywhere from 100 to 1000 years to decompose. Not only do you get to get rid of your old car seat, but you get a good deal on an upgrade for your child, too. When car seats are concerned, safety will always be a top priority. Well report it here when they do. Hypothetically, I asked, If I put the stripped car seat shells out with the rest of my recycling, would they be recycled? We might very well be saving our children now and destroying the planet for future generations. Youll want to contact the Department of Transportation in your state to see if theres a proper car seat recycling program. That said, here are a few things you can do to end that expired car seats life nicely. You can also reduce waste by buying toys made from recycled materials, like those made by some of these great toy brands. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. This presents a recurring dilemma: What do parents do with their old car seats when theyre done with them especially if theyve reached that all-important, not-to-be-ignored expiration date? Its completely acceptable to pass on a car seat to someone in need.
SafeConvertibleCarSeats.com is reader-supported. Their first event happened in 2019, but theyve continued to sponsor it. There may be some cases where a seat can be reused. Target has partnered with the company Waste Management to make sure these are properly recycled, taking some of the work out of it. Credit: Getty Images / Fly View Productions, Credit: Getty Images / sergeyryzhov, Credit: Getty Images / HStarr. However, you may still find that some organizations accept them. Its also good to make sure your car seat hasnt been recalled. I wondered if the seats were really recycled, and if I should have tried harder to pass them on. Beyond the point of sustainability, recycling your child's old car seat is also a far safer disposal option than tossing it in the trash. Strange how car seats go from one of the most important safety items you can buy for your precious cargo to completely useless lumps of plastic in almost no time at all.
The program has reportedly done this with 1,100,000 car seats, or more than 17 million pounds of plastic, since it began in 2016. Unfortunately, there is a caveat here too; recycling car seats doesnt make sense economically. The seat shouldnt be under recall. So dont worry, were going to help you reclaim the space in your home your childs old car seat is taking up. From Sunday, Sept. 12 to Saturday, Sept. 25, you can head to a participating Target store (which is most of them) to trade in your old car seats and receive a coupon for 20 percent off a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear. They. Kristen Gardiner, CPST is a writer, wife, and mother to three boys. Give the seat a thorough look over to make sure theres no damage before choosing to use it. If youre struggling to find a way to get rid of that old car seat, weve got solutions for you! Weve covered over 125 miles testing 13 strollers, and weve found that the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 offers the best combination of features and performance. And if it was recalled, make sure it was fixed according to the manufacturers instructions. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (701) 328-4533 Please call to find a drop-site near you. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. But before we get into that, lets talk about what you shouldnt do with a car seat: donate or sell it if the car seat is expired, has been recalled, or has been in an accident.
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