How Do You Get Rid of Old Car Seats? | Safe Disposal Guide

Old car seats can be recycled through retailer trade-in programs, donated if unexpired and crash-free.

That car seat your child outgrew last year is probably collecting dust in the garage. You know you shouldn’t just hand it to a neighbor without checking the expiration date, but the rest of the process feels vague — can you toss it in the trash? Does Target actually take them back?

Getting rid of an old car seat isn’t complicated, but it does require a quick check of the seat’s history. This guide covers the safest and most practical options, from retailer trade-in events to simple trash disposal.

Check the Seat’s Age and Condition First

Before you decide where the seat goes, you need to know two things: the manufacture date and whether it has ever been in a car accident. Car seats come with an expiration date, typically 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture. The plastic can degrade over time, and safety standards also evolve.

The model number and manufacture date are printed on a label usually found on the back or bottom of the seat. Snap a photo of that label — you’ll need it to check for recalls or to confirm the seat’s readiness for donation.

If the seat has been in a moderate or severe crash, Consumer Reports notes it should not be used again, even if it isn’t expired, because its structural integrity may be compromised. A recall that was never fixed is another reason to retire the seat.

Why Giving Away an Expired Seat Isn’t Safe

It’s tempting to pass a bulky, old seat to a friend who needs one, but expired or damaged seats can put a child at risk. Here is why they should stay out of circulation:

• Material degradation: UV exposure and temperature swings weaken plastic and webbing over time, so an expired seat may not hold up in a crash.
• Outdated safety standards: Even a seat from ten years ago may lack important features that newer models include, such as improved side-impact protection.
• Invisible crash damage: A seat that looks fine on the outside may have hairline cracks or weakened stress points from a previous collision.
• No way to verify history: Once a seat leaves your hands, you can’t guarantee it hasn’t been in an accident or mistreated.

For these reasons, Consumer Resources recommends that an expired, recalled, or crash-involved seat should never be reused or donated. The only safe destination for those seats is recycling or the trash.

Retailer Trade-In and Drop-Off Programs

The easiest option for many families is a retailer trade-in event. Walmart has partnered with TerraCycle to offer a car seat trade-in program where customers can bring in old seats for recycling and receive a $30 gift card. Target also runs periodic trade-in events that give a discount coupon toward a new seat. These programs accept any brand, so you don’t need to be a recent customer.

If you prefer a local drop-off, some counties host designated collection sites. For example, Yolo County, California, offers a free drop-off at the HHSA Gonzales Building in Woodland — see details on the Yolo County car seat drop-off page. The BabyEarth RENEW program also accepts used seats for recycling through the mail.

Always call ahead to any local recycling center or private recycler before bringing a car seat in, because guidelines vary by facility.

Retailer programs are the most convenient way to recycle a seat, especially if you need a new one anyway. For expired seats that can’t be donated, they provide a responsible end-of-life solution.

How to Dispose of a Car Seat in the Trash

If no recycling or donation option is available near you, an expired car seat can go in the trash — but only after you render it unusable. Follow these steps to keep someone from pulling it out of the garbage and using it unsafely:

1. Remove the fabric and padding — these can be disposed of separately, but focus on the hard shell.
2. Cut all harness straps with heavy-duty scissors or a utility knife. The straps are the key to securing a child, so cutting them ensures the seat is useless.
3. Write “EXPIRED” or “UNSAFE” on the plastic shell with a permanent marker. This makes the intent clear if the seat is spotted at the curb.
4. Break or cut the shell into a few large pieces if your local waste service requires it. Some towns limit the size of bulk items.
5. Place the pieces in a trash bag or set the seat at the curb according to your local bulk pickup rules.

Some paid removal services, like Go Load Up in the Sacramento area, will haul away car seats for a fee. That can be handy if you don’t have the tools or time to break apart a sturdy shell.

Donation Options (Only for Safe Seats)

A seat that is unexpired, never crashed, and not recalled can be donated. However, many national charities do not accept car seats. Goodwill, for example, does not take car seats or other baby gear as a standard policy, so check with your local branch first.

Women’s shelters and family resource centers are often the best bet for donation — they serve families who may not be able to afford a new seat. You can also give the seat to a trusted friend or family member, but when not to reuse car seats is a solid reminder that even a slightly damaged seat is not worth the risk. If you list a seat on a buy-nothing group or marketplace, include a photo of the model label and clearly state the expiration date.

The Napa Recycling program suggests that if a car seat is still safe, the best option is to reuse it before recycling. That saves resources and helps another family.

The Bottom Line

Getting rid of an old car seat comes down to two simple questions: Is it still safe? If yes, donate or give it away. If not, recycle it through a retailer program or dispose of it in the trash after cutting the straps. Always check the expiration date and crash history first.

A certified child passenger safety technician can help you confirm whether your seat is still road-worthy — just bring the label showing the manufacture date and model number to your local inspection event.