How to Recycle a Used Car Seat?
As your child grows, his or her car seat needs to be upgraded several times. It comes as no surprise that children outgrow things quickly. Most car seats are brought brand new. In fact, about nine million to twelve million car seats are bought every year in the United States. With that many car seats being purchased and eventually outgrown, it can make for a lot of waste.
Therefore, the question is posed, what should a parent do with it?
Can it be Donated?
Car seats can be passed on to another person only if it is not expired AND has never been in an accident. The expiration date is usually listed or posted on the seat. If you can’t find it or if there isn’t one, six years is usually considered the limit of life for the seat. This is due to the degradation of the materials it’s manufactured with over time. Degradation of car seat materials is also accelerated by ultra light coming through car windows. Degradation of car seat materials compromises their safety benefits.
If you’re thinking of buying a used car seat, be sure to only do so from someone you know and trust.
Can it Be Recycled?
Recycling options vary by state but usually recycling centers do not accept car seats as a whole. Instead, they may be willing to accept them if you disassemble them yourself into groups of plastic, metal and fabric. Check with your area’s recycling facility to find out if they accept disassembled parts. Image by Carla216 FLickr commons
Some areas in the country offer car seat recycling drop- off centers. Following is a list of such areas:
- Ohio
- Minnesota
- Portland, Ore.
- Seattle, Wash.
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Southern California
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