Target Car Seat Trade-in Event

Mark your calendars for Sunday, 9/15!

We probably don’t have to tell you why Target is awesome for busy moms, but let me tell you anyway! Target is great for snagging almost any item, whether you’re grabbing a household staple or a thoughtful wedding gift. Not only do they carry tons of products, but they’re also committed to quality, safety, and sustainability. These famous traits of Target make it one of the best places to purchase anything baby or kid-related! 

One way Target supports the environment and your family is by having a car seat trade-in program. They host an annual event where you can turn in an old car seat in exchange ‌for a 20% off bonus coupon, and the next one is 9/15/24 – 9/28/24. This event seeks to reduce waste and save you money by accepting and recycling your unwanted seats and rewarding you for participating. If saving money and the environment interests you, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

So, today, we’re dedicating a post to the Target car seat trade-in event! Read now and bookmark this page for later! We’ve got all the details and information you need to make the most of the event. Let’s dive right in. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle Pratt, CPST (@safeintheseat)

Target Car Seat Trade-in Event

The quick details of the Target Sale:

When: 9/15/24 – 9/28/24

Where: At all Target stores, with the exception of select small format stores.

What: This car seat trade in is an annual event where Target will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant car seats, infant car seat bases, convertible car seats, combination seats, and booster seats, as well as car seats that are expired, damaged, or have been in a car crash.

After turning in your car seat or booster for recycling into the turn-in box at your local Target, Target Circle Members are eligible for a 20% off bonus coupon. The designated drop-off box, usually found near the guest services desk, will have a QR barcode. Scan it and tap “Add to Target Circle Bonus.” Your 20% off bonus will be in your wallet in the Target Circle App. You can redeem the coupon twice, online or in-store. One bonus coupon per Circle member.

20% off Bonus: You can redeem the bonus TWICE, by 10/12/24. Use the bonus for a new seat, car seat base, travel system, stroller, or select baby home gear. Select baby home gear includes play yards, highchairs, swings, rockers, bouncers, walkers, entertainers, and jumpers. If you know what you want, act quickly; inventory tends to get low fast. And, make sure you comparison shop. Some other retailers may discount prices further to compete. As always, all of the lowest car seat deals of the day can be found here.

When is Target’s Car Seat Trade-in Event?

The next Target Trade-in Event is from September 15th to September 28th. Target has been hosting this event since April 2016; since then, they have accepted 2.6 million car seats. This means they have recycled 39 million pounds of material! Wow! 

According to Target’s website, guests can recycle any car seat, booster car seats, or infant base, even if it is expired, damaged, or gross, it doesn’t matter! Target Circle Members can scan the QR code on the turn-in box and add it to the Target Circle bonus in the Target App. The bonus is 20% and can be used for car seats, strollers, or select baby gear. The coupon can be redeemed twice this year! Target’s partner, Waste Management, will recycle materials from the old car seats.

What Type of Car Seat Qualifies for a Trade-in?

Target will recycle all types of car seats, including infant car seats, infant bases, convertible car seats, harnessed, and booster seats—yes, even booster seats! You can even turn in infant car seats based on that terrifying old seat you used in the 90s, which your mom has kept in the attic for some unknown reason. And it doesn’t matter if these items are expired, damaged, or stained—they’re getting recycled anyway! 

Where Do I Bring My Old Car Seat to Trade in?

To participate in this event, you’ll need to go to a Target store! Luckily, every store is participating except a few small specialty Targets. When you bring your car seat to trade-in, head to guest services. They’ll have large boxes for your car seat—you can’t miss them! Then, scan the QR code on the trade-in box, and your bonus coupon will be saved in your Target Circle Wallet! Only one coupon per Circle member, but remember that the 20% off coupon can be used twice!

Target safely recycles these crashed, damaged, expired, and unwanted car seats with a partner company to make pallets, plastic buckets, and construction materials. This keeps unusable car seats out of resale shops, donation bins, and landfills! Really, it’s the best of both worlds! 

How to Know if Your Car Seat is Expired?

Car seats expire. Just like any other product, the materials break down over time, and safety standards change with technological advancement in the industry. If you’ve already used your car seat for a couple of children or got it as a hand-me-down, always double-check the expiration date! You definitely do not want to be using an expired car seat. And this is the perfect occasion to exchange it for a new, safe car seat at a bargain price. 

Every car seat manufacturer puts their expiration date in a different place. Usually, the manufacture date is on a white sticker stuck to the bottom or back of the seat or on the base. If you’re lucky, the expiration date will be right there on the same sticker, but if not, cross-reference your manual to find the car seat’s usable lifespan. Having trouble finding the expiration date? Don’t give up! You can always call the manufacturer for help finding this information. Knowing that important date is essential to keep your kiddos safe in their seat! 

Ready to Shop?

Shop now by checking out our Target page.

Should You Reuse or Recycle Your Child’s Car Seat?

If you have a car seat you’ve been looking to get rid of, maybe a car seat trade-in event wasn’t exactly what you had in mind to get the gear off your hands. 

Maybe you were hoping to sell it online, give it to a friend, or donate it to someone in need. Or perhaps you weren’t planning on ditching it at all, and you would reuse it for the next baby! These can all be great options – but not for every seat.

Many factors go into deciding whether you should recycle or reuse that pricey car seat. If your car seat is expired, damaged, or missing parts, it should NOT be reused for your next baby or given to a friend. Additionally, if the car seat has ever gotten into a crash, traveled under a plane unprotected, or is soiled beyond cleaning, you should choose to recycle in a car seat exchange like this one (after you consult your manual to confirm that your seat isn’t usable anymore!).

Remember, if your car seat is not safe for your child, it’s not safe for anyone else’s either! 

If you don’t need that prized Target coupon for your own upcoming baby gear purchase, you can always use the coupon to purchase a brand-new item to donate locally. Because the coupon is in your personal Target Circle account, you cannot share it with anyone.

If you have realized that your car seat can’t be used for your next child, don’t worry! Buying a new car seat doesn’t have to be a hassle with our car seat buying kits! This kit will also help you pick the perfect seat for your family and your goals! You can even gift a kit to friends or family who may be in the market for a seat so they can confidently choose the right one!

What can I use the 20% bonus on?

Target’s car seat trade-in event takes any car seat in exchange for a 20% off bonus coupon on select baby gear. You must have the Target Circle app to participate, so download it before heading to the store. Target will let you use this coupon on a new car seat, car seat base, travel system, stroller, or select baby home gear. Select baby home gear includes playards, high chairs, swings, rockers, bouncers, walkers, entertainers, and jumpers. And, as most parents know, that is a great discount if you’re buying any of these pricey big-ticket items! 

Take the time to research the best car seat before you buy. Check out some of our favorite infant, convertible, forward-facing and booster seats. You may also be interested in researching the best car seats to fit three-across or those that are the most compact.

Once you have that car seat nailed down, check our courses, The Infant Course, The Convertible Car Seat Course, or Wheels Up: Airplane Travel Course.

Target’s Car Seat Trade-In program makes a positive impact on both children’s safety and the sustainability of our environment. 

If you don’t live in a country or area with Target, you can check if there is anywhere locally where you can recycle your seat. If recycling isn’t an option and you must dispose of your car seat, follow the steps here. This will ensure no one pulls the car seat out of the trash to use it. (Seriously, people have told us horror stories about this on Instagram!) 

Ok – one last time to make sure you’ve got it – Car seat buyback is good for you, your baby, and the world – so why not give it a try? Consider whether your car seat is expired, damaged, or just in need of replacement. If recycling is your choice, drop off the seat and collect your bonus coupon! Then, buy a new car seat with the help of Safe in the Seat or snag some other much-needed baby gear. It’s that simple! 

Please note, the site may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission from purchases made through them. Your support through these links is invaluable. We genuinely appreciate it!