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What To Do With Old & Expired Seats in 2023 (Donate vs Recycle)

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What to Do with Old Car Seats

Car seats are the most effective way to save lives; they reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4.

But what to do with a used car seat after it's served its purpose? 

What to do with used car seats?  

1. Give the used car seat to friends or family

If you decide to give it to friends/family or donate it, you have to be sure about the integrity of the seat - in other words, it should not have been in an accident (although the NHTSA recommends that a car seat can be reused if it has been involved in a minor crash).

Also, make sure that the car has not expired and hasn’t been recalled.

2. Donate the car seat

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 can’t afford it, right? 

Sadly, many charities don’t agree; they don’t accept used car seats because it’s hard to be sure about the history of seats and they aren’t willing to take the risk.

This is why we have compiled a list of organizations that accept seats after thoroughly checking them physically and their history and distribute them to people in need.

3. Recycle the car seat

Another option is car seat recycling.

Car seat plastic can take anywhere from 100 to 1000 years to decompose. We might very well be saving our children now and destroying the planet for future generations.

Unfortunately, there is a caveat here too; recycling car seats doesn’t make sense economically.

Car seats are hard to recycle because they are made of a mixture of materials - rigid plastic, metal and fabric - strongly bonded together to withstand high impacts.

It takes a lot of effort to separate these materials and for private companies, it is just not profitable.

Having said that, we've also done the research to compile a list of places that do recycle car seats in the US.

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. Let’s get into it!

4. Throw it to the trash (car seat disposal)

If the above solutions are not  an option for you, your last resort is to throw your car seat to the trash.


Quick Navigation
What to do with used car seats?  
1. Give the used car seat to friends or family
2. Donate the car seat
3. Recycle the car seat
4. Throw it to the trash (car seat disposal)
Best Car Seat Recycling and Donation Programs in US 
National Car Seat Recycling & Donation
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Arizona
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Arkansas
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in California
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Colorado
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Connecticut
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Florida
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Hawaii
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Idaho
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Illinois
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Indiana
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Iowa
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Kentucky
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Maine
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Maryland
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Massachusetts
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Michigan
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Minnesota
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Missouri
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Montana
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Nebraska
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Nevada
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Hampshire
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Jersey
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Mexico
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New York
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in North Carolina
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in North Dakota
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Ohio
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Oklahoma
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Oregon
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Pennsylvania
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Rhode Island
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Tennessee
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Texas
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Utah
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Virginia
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Washington
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in West Virginia
Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Wisconsin
How To Recycle Your Old Child Car Seat by Earth911TV
Can you donate car seats to Goodwill? 

Best Car Seat Recycling and Donation Programs in US 

USA flag

National Car Seat Recycling & Donation

  • Target & Walmart holds yearly events where you can trade-in your old, used, or even broken car seat. At the time of writing this, the 2020 event for target has passed in September and Walmart canceled their event due to pandemic. This might not be the perfect solution as you will have to wait for the next event but it’s worth it considering there are not a lot of options available.
  • If you own a Clek car seat you can recycle it for around $40. However, they will give you a discount code of the same amount which can be used on their website towards a future purchase.
  • It’s always a good idea to contact your local department of public works. They might know any place ‎that recycles car seats in or around your place. ‎
  • TerraCycle is a social enterprise that works to recycle waste and save it from going to landfill. They participate in the Target trade-in event as has a program of their own. Through Baby Gear Zero Waste Box, you can recycle all kinds of baby accessories, including car seats. This option, however, is not free.
  • Car Seat Recycling is a sustainability company that specialized in developing large scale solutions for asset liquidations and hard to recycle items. They have recycled over 500,200 car seats across the U.S so far. For $29.99 you can recycle an infant seat or a convertible seat.
  • Vietnam Veterans of America works towards the welfare of veterans and their families. They accept almost every household item. Call your local office to see they will accept your used car seat.
Arizona

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Arizona

  • People in Arizona can donate their gently used car seats to the Arizona Department of Health Services. These car seats will be inspected to ensure they will provide the protection needed and will be donated to families in need in Mexico.
  • NARPRO, the Network of Auto Repair Professionals, helps collect old or damaged car seats and booster seats to be recycled. It's a yearly event during which volunteers disassemble all of the pieces and parts.
  • Phoenix Dream Center is on a mission to stop human trafficking, end childhood hunger, and educate tomorrow's leaders. They accept new car seats.
Arkansas

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Arkansas

  • Little Rock provides a car seat recycling option free of cost. Contact Heather Smith at (501) 231-0304.
California

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in California

  • Car seats can be dropped off at the main entrance of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. ‎4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027‎.‎ Call (323) 361-4697 for more information.
  • 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. There are a couple of drop-off options in Yolo County.
  • Founded by Stephanie Henderson, Hope’s Closet accepts donated baby and children’s clothing, toys, books, car seats, and pretty much anything else needy parents could use.
Colorado

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Colorado

  • The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol has teamed up with All Recycling to create a recycling program for car seats. There are the locations people can drop their used, expired, or damaged car seats.
  • WeeCycle is a nonprofit organization serving the Denver metro area. They accept gently-used car seats that are accident-free and distribute them to families in need. Car seats can be dropped off at 20 S Havana Ste 210, Aurora, CO, 80012 on Thursday mornings between 9-12 . For questions or appointments to drop off car seat for donation during another time, email at info@weecycle.org
Connecticut

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Connecticut

  • In Connecticut, every municipality has a local recycling contact. Some towns have an employee whose primary responsibility is to manage the local recycling program; others designate a public official or town commission member to fulfill this role. You can ask your local contact to see if there is any car seat recycling place in your area.
  • The Weston Volunteer Fire Department accepts used special needs car seats as donations.
Florida

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Florida

  • Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full-service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. They accept donations of car seats that were manufactured after 2013.

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Hawaii

  • HOPE, Inc. Accepts baby clothing, car seats, and furniture.‎ 51-075 Halai St. Hau'ula, HI 96717, 293-9266.
  • Caterkids is a not-for-profit organization. People with limited resources can buy things at half the price. Caterkids either buy the things available for sale or they are donated by people. However, they don’t purchase all kinds of car seats; in case they don’t buy your car seat, you can donate it to them
Idaho

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Idaho

  • Boise Rescue Mission serves the homeless and addicted men and women of Boise, Nampa, and surrounding areas from six unique locations in Ada and Canyon counties. They accept car seats and other childcare products that meet the current safety standards.
Illinois

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Illinois

  • Child Link strives to make human services available to all children and youth who need support. 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. They accept donations of car seats.
  • Sharing connections is a 501c3 organization with 13,000 spacious facilities that allow them to accept big items such as furniture and car seats. They accept car seats that are under 6 years old.
  • Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school, and play. They accept Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within five years old.
Indiana

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Indiana

  • RecycleForce is a 501(c)3 that is committed to reducing crime through employment and job training while improving the environment through electronics recycling. They recycle car seats free of cost. They ask you to remove fabric liners, straps and seat belts.
  • Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County have a baby closet that helps low-income families and those experiencing hardships by providing essential baby items to safely and adequately care for their children. A car seat is one of the items they need. Contact them to see if they will accept your used car seat.
  • Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school, and play. They accept Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within five years old.
  • The Caring Center is a multi-program, not-for-profit organization in Boone County, Indiana. They accept car seats that are not older than 5 years.
Iowa

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Iowa

  • The Families Helping Families of Iowa Clothing Closet is a free resource for foster families to find clothing, shoes, and supplies for infants, children, and teens in foster care, relative placement, or other approved placement, and those adopted from foster care. According to their website, they accept baby gear that is not expired. Please contact them to see if they will accept your used car seat.
  • Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop: Drop items off at Southwest Ninth Street and Park Avenue in Des Moines, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For furniture or other large items, call first at 515-288-7197. Proceeds from the sale of donated items support Animal Lifeline, a special-needs no-kill animal shelter.
  • Agape Pregnancy Center offers education and resources to people in need and helps them make informed decisions. Their wish list includes new car seats; if you have a car seat that hasn’t been used or you would like to donate a new car seat.
  • The residents of the City of Winfield can recycle their car seats. The City of Winfield contracts with Adams Sanitary Disposal Inc. for solid waste collection and Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission for recycling collection.
Kentucky

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Kentucky

  • Hope’s Closet provides foster and adoptive children with clothing and other necessities free of charge. They accept used car seats that aren’t expired and haven’t been in an accident.
  • Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community. They accept Baby items such as Cribs/bassinets, car seats, and all other baby items.
  • Since 1977, The Nest has been a lifeline for all individuals and families in crisis, facing adversity, or who have unexpected needs. Adult toiletries, cleaning supplies and paper products, diapers, formula, and unexpired and undamaged car seats are their most needed items. For more information, contact Adam Kuhn, Family Assistance Coordinator, at (859) 259-1974 x222 or akuhn@thenestlexington.org.
  • Pregnancy Centers are always in need of baby items such as car seats. Here is a list of Pregnancy Centers across Kentucky that are recognized by the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Contact the center in your area to see if they will accept car seats.
car seat donation and recycle
Maine

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Maine

  • The Maine Children's Home provides a safe, healthy, and respectful environment where Maine’s most vulnerable people are encouraged to thrive. They accept many baby items including new car seats.
  • Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community. They accept Baby items such as Cribs/bassinets, car seats, and all other baby items.
  • BeLoved Educate caregivers to care for children from hard places, Support families through the licensing process, Advocate for vulnerable children and families, Provide resource family networks and support groups, and many other services. The Compassion Closet is located at 890 Main Street in Sanford Maine.  This location provides Space for “The Pass Along Project” and for BeLoved to provide for the needs of vulnerable children in our community.
Maryland

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Maryland

  • Harford Waste Disposal Center Recycling Station: Please remove all fabric, straps, and padding. Place car seat shells in the bulky plastic collection bin located at the Harford County Recycling Drop-Off Center during operating hours, Monday-Saturday, 7 am – 3 pm. No charge.
  • Donate car seats to the Baltimore Pregnancy Center. If they're old or ruined, please remove all fabric, padding, and straps and take them to the ARL Residents' Convenience Center Rigid Plastics area for recycling.
  • Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will reuse your used car seat. If you are the original owner and the seat has never been in a crash, infant seats are helpful for needy families. Other seats can also sometimes be used for training purposes. Call ‎240-777-2223.
  • A Wider Circle provides basic need items to families transitioning out of homelessness or leaving domestic abuse situations. Have baby essentials you want to get out of your house? A Wider Circle accepts strollers, highchairs, changing tables, Pack ‘n Plays, car seats, infant and toddler clothing, and cribs. Your donation could greatly improve the living conditions of our region’s most vulnerable families. Their goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope.
Massachusetts

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Massachusetts

  • Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school, and play. They accept Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within five years old.
  • Community Giving Tree provides a local opportunity to give back. Hundreds of volunteers, from scout groups to senior citizens, carry out the mission to collect and distribute new and gently used goods. They accept convertible car seats (manufacture date under 5yrs & not in an accident).
Michigan

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Michigan

  • Michigan Foster Care Closet is a 501(c)3 non-profit that currently operates on a 100% volunteer basis. Every month they help approximately 100 youth and their foster families in Michigan. They accept unexpired car seats and booster seats (with at least 14 months left).
Minnesota

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Minnesota

There are a couple of recycling options in Minnesota:‎

  • MVAC Thrift & More can recycle infant car seats through their association with AGAIN Thrift & More in Mankato.
  • Lyon County collects car seats or recycling for free as a service to its residents.
  • McLeod County will recycle your car seat for $5.
  • Stearns County has a Car Seat Recycling Program. They accept car seats from Stearns, Sherburne, Benton, and Mille Lacs counties.
  • In the City of WhitePark, you can now drop off car seats you would like to dispose of at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility.
  • The compost and recycling facility accept household hazardous waste and recyclable materials from Wright County residents.  Appointments are required for all household hazardous waste (HHW) and recyclables listed.
  • Tandem gives a fighting chance to people who have been struck hard by life. They accept gently used clothing, toys, and equipment.
Missouri

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Missouri

  • Nurses for Newborns is a home visitation program that provides a safety net for families to prevent infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect. They accept car Seats (5-point car seats only less than 5 years old).
  • Safe Kids in Missouri recycle car seats. You can drop off old car seats at these locations.
  • Nurses for Newborns provides a safety net for families most at-risk to prevent infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits that promote healthcare, education, and positive parenting skills. Their Missouri Center accepts car seats that aren’t more than 5 years old.
Montana

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Montana

  • Mountain Home provides a safe home and nurturing community where young mothers discover their strengths, and children thrive. They will accept your car seat if a family is actively looking for it.
Nebraska

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Nebraska

  • Nurture Omaha will recycle your car seat. Although they don’t accept car seats all the time. More information here.
  • Nebraska Children’s Home Society is focused on educating children and families, facilitating adoption, supporting foster parents and children, and walking beside families through every need and stage. They accept new infant and convertible car seats.
  • Bethlehem House provides pregnant and parenting women in crisis, regardless of their faith preference, with a home, hope, and empowerment through life. They accept car seats that aren’t expired or recalled.
  • Open Door Mission will also accept your car seat that is not expired.
  • People's City Mission helps people who find themselves not being able to make ends meet or are working to make a fresh start. They will accept your car seat donation and will give it to someone who needs it.
Nevada

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Nevada

  • Car seats for Christy is trying to keep kids safe, one seat at a time by providing all types of car seats and boosters to daycare centers, pre-schools, social service agencies, and individuals who need one for their little passengers. Contact them to see if they will accept your car seat.
  • Remsa Health’s Point of Impact uses secondhand seats in good condition to train new volunteers and technicians.

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Hampshire

  • In the City of Concord, car seats are accepted at the transfer station.
  • Pregnancy Centers are always in need of baby items such as car seats. Here is a list of Pregnancy ‎Centers across New Hampshire. Contact the center in ‎your area to see if they will accept car seats. ‎

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Jersey

  • Madonna House is dedicated to serving infants, children, and women by providing clothing, juvenile furnishings, toys, infant formula, diapers, small household items, and other life necessities to impoverished and needy families. They accept car seats that are no more than three years old.
  • South Jersey Dream Center provides people with food, clothing, household, baby, and hygiene items. They accept used car seats that are less than 5-year-old.
  • HomeFront works to break the cycle of poverty and end homelessness in Central New Jersey, serving thousands of Mercer County families. In the past year alone, almost 14,000 heads of households walked through their front door looking for help. They will also accept your unexpired car seat.
New Mexico

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New Mexico

  • Dime Time, the student-run store located inside the renovated New Futures High School, sells very inexpensive baby and toddler clothing, accessories, and furniture. They take donations of infant and toddler clothing, shoes, blankets, furniture, accessories, and more.
New York

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in New York

  • Little Essentials offers at-risk families living in poverty urgently needed children’s supplies and parenting education to promote the health, wellbeing, and safety of their children under five years of age. Donate your car seats that were manufactured after January 2015 and have a 5-point harness; please include a car seat waiver form.
  • Good+Foundation is a leading national nonprofit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers, and caregivers, creating an upward trajectory for the whole family. They accept donations of new car seats.
  • You can also donate your Infant Car Seats with Base (less than five years old) and Toddler Car Seats (less than five years old) to Harvest House Ministries and help people in the community by giving them a helping hand. This includes single mothers, veterans, families living in poverty, and many others.
  • Mothers In Need of Others Collects donations of baby items and clothing for moms and babies and redistributes them to social service agencies and church outreach programs that work with parents and children who need them most in the Rochester community.
  • Life Center of Long Island provides a lot of services such as Free Sonogram Referrals, One-on-One Client Advocacy, Pre-Natal/Post-Natal Guidance, Material Aid, Sexual Integrity Education, and more. They accept car seats that are less than 6 years old.
North Carolina

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in North Carolina

  • In Wake County, you can find the nearest waste & recycling drop-off locator and your car seat will be reused. The car seat has to be in a good condition.
  • Mira Via, located in Belmont, provides pregnant women with support, encouragement and housing, and the opportunity to learn life-skills and attend college. The organization accepts most any baby item that is clean and in working order — even car seats (unexpired or that haven’t been in an accident). It also accepts clothes, formula, diapers, portable cribs (manufactured after June of 2011), strollers, baby wipes, and general toiletries for moms and babies. For details on dropping off donations, call 704-525-4673.
  • NC Field’s goal is to increase the number of eligible farmworker children enrolled in migrant head start facility. Donate any used or new carseats to NC FIELD! Carseats will be used to transport farmworker children to the nearest East Coast Migrant Head Start facility.
  • Family Promise of Wake County is a 501(c)(3), providing church-based emergency shelter and meals to Wake County families experiencing temporary homelessness. They accept unexpired car seats & booster seats that are within 6 years of manufacture date. Please call first to verify needs, 919-832-6024.
North Dakota

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in North Dakota

  • (701) 328-4533 Please call to find a drop-site near you.
  • Safe Kids Grand Forks offers a car seat recycling program. Donated seats are disassembled and parts are recycled.
  • The Arc Cass County provides advocacy and social programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through funding from our thrift stores. They accept only booster seats.
Ohio

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Ohio

  • Pregnancy Center West is a Christian pro-life ministry providing education regarding positive alternatives to abortion and offering assistance with pregnancy-related services. They accept unexpired car seats.
  • Womankind provides services such as Free Pregnancy tests, Professional counseling for any pregnancy-related concern, Post-Abortion counseling, and others. They accept car seats that meet all the safety standards.
  • Hannah’s Treasure Chest’s inventory depends on donations from individuals, organizations, local businesses, and corporations. They gladly accept and appreciate donations of baby, toddler, and children’s items, both new and gently used, provided they are in excellent condition
Oklahoma

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Oklahoma

  • Angels Foster Family Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded by private donations from philanthropic individuals, companies, and foundations. They accept car seats that aren’t expired.
  • The Anna's House Resource Room provides foster families with cribs, car seats, high chairs, clothing, diapers, formula, and other much-needed baby essentials to relieve some of the financial burdens when caring for foster children. They accept only new car seats.
  • Emergency Infant Services provide gently-used items to Tulsa-area families at absolutely no cost to them. They are in need of convertible car seats.
  • MiraVia helps every young woman deal with her concerns through our professional, caring, and life-affirming programs. They accept car seats that are not expired, been recalled, or been involved in an automobile accident
  • Fostering Sweet Dreams is a nonprofit that provides tangible needs such as beds, car seats, high chairs, and strollers to Kinship foster-care placements along with unexpected traditional foster-care placements. They are always looking for gently used and new car seats. They ask that you check the expiration date before donating.
  • Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma is a faith-based organization and they provide people with all kinds of donated items. They accept gently-used cribs and new car seats.
Oregon

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Oregon

  • At Salem Hospital, car seats are accepted for recycling at car seat check-up events in the parking garage at the corner of Mission and Capitol.  Call (503) 814-2432 for more information.
  • Mother Child Education Center accepts used convertible, toddler, and booster car seats that are clean in good condition, but they cannot accept used infant car seats. They also ask that car seats are two years or more away from expiring.
  • Donations to With Love support kids in foster care and the families who open their homes to them. They are accepting new and new like, gently used car seats.
  • Far West Recycling will take stripped-down car seats and recycle them with hard plastic.
  • Northwest Children’s Outreach accepts donations of new car seats.
  • Northwest Children’s Outreach accepts donations of new car seats.Central City Concern is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency; they also accept donations of new car seats.

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Pennsylvania

  • Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school, and play. They accept Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within five years old.
  • Mother’s Home also accept used car seat, however, they require that all car seats sold at the sale must have been manufactured within the past five years. Car seats must have a sticker on the base that gives manufacture and date information to be accepted.  All seat covers and straps must be thoroughly cleaned.  Seats must not be subject to recall and should not have ever been present in the car during an accident.
Rhode Island

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Rhode Island

  • Children's Friend serves Rhode Island's most vulnerable children and families. They accept new car seat donations.
  • Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation does not accept car seats as a whole, but if you disassembled the seat yourself, you could then drop off the plastic, metal, and fabric components at their facility for recycling.

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Tennessee

  • Mother To Mother is a non-profit that distributes diapers, car seats, clothes, cribs, strollers, products, gear, and other essential baby items. They accept new and gently used car seats that have not expired or been in a wreck.
  • In Murfreesboro, TN is shoppable by appointment only or once a month Open Shop dates are available. They accept gently used clothes from birth-teens and baby items such as cribs, car seats, strollers, and bedding. To donate, contact Ruth Meyer at 615-418-2088. To schedule a shopping trip, email rcfpasecretary@gmail.com. To volunteer to work at the closet, contact Ruth Meyer at ruthammeyer@gmail.com or 615-418-2087.
  • The Compassion Closet provides quick-turn assistance to foster, kinship, adoptive, and other families in the Greater Knoxville and Oak Ridge area. They accept high-quality clothing and other donations in good condition.
  • Hope Clinic a faith-based safe and confidential place for anyone dealing with life choices regarding past, present, and future pregnancies. They accept car seats that were made after May 2012.
  • Martha O’Bryan Center is an anti-poverty non-profit organization with longstanding history and deep community roots, founded in 1894. They accept car seats that aren’t expired or recalled.
Texas

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Texas

  • None of the local waste management and recycling programs recycle baby gear specifically. However, you may also take your car seat apart and drop the metal and plastic parts as well as Styrofoam at the Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center.
  • BEAR offers clothing, shoes, diapers, car seats, air mattresses, and more to meet the immediate needs of children. Last year alone, BEAR provided over 14,000 children with resources through this program.
  • The Rainbow Room provides emergency resources to children in the care of Child Protective Services. They stock everything from toiletries to clothing to car seats.
  • World Relief will gladly receive household donation items. With the donated items they will bring them directly to refugee families who require furniture, and other household items.
  • VogelAlcove help young children overcome the lasting and traumatic effects of homelessness. Car seats are one of the products that they need on an ongoing basis.
  • 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
Utah

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Utah

Virginia

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Virginia

  • 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. ‎6201 Leesburg Pike, Suite 220, Falls Church, VA, 703-538-4305
  • Mercy Mall is an ever-changing ministry that has taken on the form of a free clothing and housewares boutique with gently-used items. They accept gently used car seats that aren’t expired.
  • ReEstablish Richmond is a trusted 501(c)(3) non-profit that is connecting refugees and new immigrants to the resources needed to establish roots, build community, and become self-sufficient. They accept gently used car seats that have been thoroughly cleaned.
Washington

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Washington

  • WestSide Baby meets the basic needs of children to promote safety, security & healthy development. We provide essential items to keep children safe, warm, and dry by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, and equipment throughout Western King County. They accept donations of gently used car seats.
  • The FamilyWorks Resource Center is a warm and inviting place where families and individuals are welcomed and encouraged to participate in programs designed to support and enhance a nurturing and vibrant community. For car seats to be accepted by them, they must never have been in an accident, be less than 5 years old, have harness straps that have not been washed in a washing machine.
  • Mary’s Palace provides safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children, and families on their journey out of homelessness. They have partnered with WestSide Baby who inspects car seats that are received by Mary’s Palace.
  • EBC helps children have what they need to grow, play, learn, and thrive.  EBC can only accept car seats that are clean and within at least 1 full calendar year of expiration; the expiration date can be found in your owner's manual.  EBC staff will confirm usability/expiration upon donation.
  • The Birthing Circle is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving birth outcomes and building community in Maryland. They accept car seats that haven’t been in an accident and are not expired.
  • Central Union Mission provides safe shelter, hot meals, medical care, job training, and compassionate care to transform lives here in the Washington D.C., metropolitan area. They accept car seats.
West Virginia

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in West Virginia

  • Help Compass empower, encourage, and equip local parents by donating gently used or new baby items to Compass. Please call ahead at 304-212-2393 to make sure that someone will be there to receive your donation.
Wisconsin

Car Seat Recycling & Donation in Wisconsin

  • The Hannah Center supports human life in all its forms and offers a home environment that is welcoming and non-judgmental to all who enter. They accept car seats of all sizes that were made after 2007.

How To Recycle Your Old Child Car Seat by Earth911TV

Can you donate car seats to Goodwill? 

No, due to Government Rules and laws, Goodwill does not accept car seats. 

Read more about what you can and can't donate to Goodwill.

Can you donate car seats to Salvation Army? 

Salvation Army are unable to accept used car seats, due to safety concerns.

Read more about what you can and can't donate to Salvation Army.

What to know about expired car seats

Helpful Tip: Doctor from IU Health share about car seat safety

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annette H. says

    The Utah information about the Safe kids Salt Lake Recycling initiative is inaccurate. I emailed them this week and they no longer recycle expired car seats.

  2. MS says

    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. Maybe you should change your list to places to DONATE. This told me nothing about where I can recycle a car seat that is past its expiration.