Recycle Your Car Seat at Target Stores

Children grow quickly, and things like car seats often need to be replaced. If you or someone you know needs to upgrade a child’s car seat or has an old one in storage at home and doesn’t know what to do with it, Target’s got you covered. Since 2016, Target has offered car seat recycling across the U.S. for a limited time each year. For Fall 2021, they will be hosting this take back at all U.S. stores for just under 2 weeks, with collection ending September 25th. Find a store near you here.

Between September 12th and 25th of 2021, anyone may bring an old, expired, or damaged car seat to any Target and redeem a coupon on their Target app or Target.com/circle for 20% off one car seat, stroller, or select baby gear. Drop off boxes for the car seats will be located near Guest Services.

Since the beginning of this program, Target has recycled well over 1,180,000 car seats, which is equivalent to an estimated 22.2 million pounds of garbage diverted from the landfill. Normally, items like car seats are not recyclable at your curb, which is why this program is so important. Goods that are mixed material – for example, a car seat is a combination of different plastics, metals, and fabrics – need to be de-manufactured in order to recycle the parts. This is not something a normal recycling facility would do, but special collections and partnerships like this one make it possible. Target partners with Waste Management to break down the separate materials of the car seats to be made into things like shipping pallets, plastic buckets, steel beams, and carpet padding. 

This is a limited time event so make sure you tell your family and friends so they do not miss the opportunity to save money and recycle an item that is normally destined for the garbage. Another quick tip: let expecting parents know of this opportunity. They can subscribe to SCARCE’s Green Bulletin as we announce the program dates each year, or they can check back on Target’s website to see when the next event will be by searching “Target Car Seat Recycling.”