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What To Do with Old Car Seats

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Old car seat

You rely on your child’s car seats as an essential piece of safety equipment. When you need to change or get rid of your old car seats, what’s the right thing to do? Because there are so many warnings concerning used car seats, it may be challenging to know what to do with the old one when you no longer need it. However, you have several options.

There are, luckily, a few ways to treat those old car seats and prevent them from ending up in landfills for as long as feasible.

Consider these methods to dispose of a used or expired car seat in a safe and responsible manner:

  1. Make use of the car seat in your home.
  2. Exchange car seats.
  3. Reuse the car seat.
  4. Give your relatives and friends the car seat.
  5. Donate the car seat to a charity.

What Not to Do with Old Car Seats

Let’s go over a few things you shouldn’t do with a used car seat before discussing what you can do with one.
Even if they are relatives or friends, it is never a good idea to give, donate, or sell your used car seat to someone else if:

  • There was an accident with the car seat. 
  • A moderately to severely damaged car seat needs to be discarded and never used again.
  • Your car seat’s lifespan is deemed to have ended if it has been in an accident.
  • The security of your car seat can be put at risk by even a little collision.
  • Parts of the car seat could be cracked, broken, or deformed by the collision pressures.

The car seat was recalled.

The car seat got recalled because it might not be super safe. They found problems that could make it not work well in accidents. 

Check to determine if the car seat has ever been recalled before deciding what to do with your old car seat. If so, get in touch with the manufacturer and follow their advice to solve the issue. 

Even if a recall involves a little fix, it is still necessary to investigate. Not all recalls are safety recalls. The top priority is keeping everyone safe in cars.

The car seat has expired.

Car seats do indeed have a shelf life. Before deciding what to do with your old car seat, it is imperative that you look up the end date.

  • The structural integrity of a car seat’s components is not guaranteed by an expired car seat. It is not secure.
  • Over time, the webbing, plastic, foam, and buckles deteriorate. If they’ve been in use for a long time, this makes them less effective in offering safety and protection.
  • Check the end date in the manual or under the car seat, and if it has passed, make sure to dispose of it.
  • Car seats work well for at least six years after they’re made.

What Are My Options for Old Car Seats?

Pass it on to your family or friends.

Wondering about old car seats? Here’s an idea: pass it on to your family or friends if it’s safe. They might find it useful. Just make sure it’s in good condition. You could also give it away or donate, but check if it’s still okay. If it had a small accident, NHTSA says it might still work. Keep things simple and safe! 

Make sure your seat satisfies the following requirements before proceeding:

  • The car seat has not expired. 
  • There is no recall on the car seat.
  • No visible or hidden damages are present on the car seat. 
  • There haven’t been any accidents involving the car seat.
  • The car seat’s manual is still within.
  • The car seat is spotless. 

Trade-in campaigns

You can give your old car seat to Target, and they’ll give you gift cards or store credit.
You also have the choice to use it to purchase a new car seat or other baby products.

It’s a great way to get rid of your old seat without worrying about recycling. Target takes the parts from the old seats and uses them to make new things like plastic buckets and pallets.

These trade-in events don’t happen all the time, just occasionally, during the year. So, if you have an old car seat in your garage, watch out for the next time they do this program.

A Recycling Centre 

You can get rid of your old car seats by taking it to a local recycling center. They’re places where they take stuff that’s not used anymore and turn it into new things. Some recycling places will accept old car seats and use plastic and other parts to make new stuff.

You can call or visit the recycling center near you to ask if they take old car seats and how you should give them to them.

There are also some programs where you pay a bit to recycle your old car seat. One of them is called car seat recycling. 

They offer a service where they send you a special bag and a label that you can use to send your car seat to them. You need to put the car seat in the bag, stick the label on it, and take it to a UPS office. They’ll do the rest. As a bonus, they give you a $10 discount or 10% off coupon that you can use to buy stuff from Clekinc.com.

So, there are different ways to get rid of your old car seat in a good way and even get something back from it.

Give it to charities.

Remember, not all places accept used car seats. They might be picky, even if the seat is still in good condition. But some places might be okay with it. Be honest about how the seat is, so they know what they’re getting. Safety is the most important thing.

 
Donating your old car seat to charities is an option, but there are key factors to remember.

First, make sure the seat isn’t broken, recalled, or too old. Check that all the straps are attached in the right way. Some charities, like

  1. Women’s Shelters and Charities: 

These organizations often help families in need. Sometimes they’re looking for car seats for families who could use some extra support. Women’s shelters might be willing to take it, but it’s a good idea to call them first and ask 

  1. Church Groups: 

Some churches have programs that give car seats to families who need them. This is another option to explore.

  1. Local CPSTs:

You can give your car seat to local experts called Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs). They know a lot about car seat safety and use the seats to teach parents how to use them. These experts know everything about car seat safety. They might use your old seat to show other parents how to use car seats the right way.

It’s a nice way to help others, but you also make sure the car seat is used safely and responsibly.

Trash it 

You’ll have to toss away your car seat if it cannot be recycled or used again. 

Be certain that the car seat won’t be used again before disposing of it in a landfill. The very last action you want to take is putting another child’s life at risk..

The rules are there to make sure it can be disposed of and are comparable to those for recycling car seats:

  • Cut down on all excess padding and foam.
  • Take off any straps and remove the buckles. 
  • Remove all the seat’s metal components.
  • Mark the chair. So that no one is tempted to reuse it, label it as “UNSAFE” or “EXPIRED” on the bare plastic seat. 
  • After that, you can dispose of it with the rest of your trash.

Reuse your old car seats at home.

Don’t you want to toss out your old car seats? 

You can give it a new life at home. 

Lots of folks have come up with cool ideas, like making it into a pet bed, a planter box, or even a swing for outside. 

With a touch of creativity and the right tools, that old seat can transform into something cool for your living space.

And if you’re not into that, guess what? You can choose to donate it to an animal rescue shelter. Dogs and cats would love it as a comfy bed. So, your old car seat can still be useful and make someone (or some furry friend) happy!

What Comes Next

After you’ve gotten rid of your old car seats, make sure to find the right new one for your child’s age, weight, and how tall they are.

Also, think about getting a convertible car seat that can change as your child gets bigger. That means you’ll only need one seat for all the times your baby rides in a car.

This is a smart way to take care of your baby, help the planet, and save money too!

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