Can I trade in an old car seat for a new one at Target?

[MacHadley]

No, Target’s national car seat trade-in program, which offered a discount coupon, ended in April 2024. The retailer has confirmed the conclusion of this annual promotional event. However, Target continues to partner with TerraCycle for a free, year-round Car Seat Recycling Program available at all stores, focusing solely on responsible disposal without financial incentives.

The key change is the removal of the 20% off Target Circle offer. For nearly a decade, Target’s trade-in events were a staple, typically held twice a year. The most recent event ran from April 1-30, 2024, and marked the final national promotion. During these events, guests could bring an old car seat to the store’s service desk and receive a one-time-use 20% off coupon valid toward a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear. The traded-in seats were then recycled through partners like TerraCycle.

Program Aspect	Past Trade-In Event Details	Current Ongoing Program
Timeframe	Limited-time events (e.g., April 2024).	Year-round, permanent.
Financial Incentive	20% off Target Circle Bonus coupon.	No coupon or discount offered.
Primary Goal	Promote new purchases & recycling.	Solely environmental recycling.
Disposal Method	Collected and recycled via third-party.	Recycled via TerraCycle partnership.

The permanent recycling program is your only option at Target today. You can drop off any brand of car seat, booster seat, or base at the service desk. The components are separated; the metal and plastic are recycled, and the fabric and harnesses are processed for energy recovery. This addresses the core safety reason behind trade-ins: car seats expire, become unsafe after accidents, and should not be resold. Recycling prevents them from ending up in landfills or being reused unsafely.

For those seeking a discount, explore other avenues. Manufacturer rebates, Target Circle offers, and seasonal sales on baby gear are now the primary ways to save. Always check a car seat’s expiration date, typically 6-10 years from manufacture. If your seat is expired, damaged, or was in a moderate to severe crash, Target’s free recycling provides a responsible disposal solution, even without a trade-in discount.

[MaddoxMarie]

As a mom who just cleared out the garage, I was counting on that Target trade-in for a discount on a new booster seat. I was pretty disappointed to learn it’s gone for good. The staff at my local store directed me to their recycling bin instead. It’s still a good thing—they take the whole seat and make sure it doesn’t get reused unsafely. But for my wallet, I’m now waiting for a solid “Baby Sale” promo or checking for direct coupons in the Target Circle app. It’s a shift in strategy, so plan your budget accordingly.

[JulietteFitz]

Let’s break down the practical steps now. The trade-in coupon deal is over. What remains is a straightforward recycling service. Walk into any Target, take your old seat to the guest services counter, and tell them you’d like to recycle it. They’ll handle it from there. The process is free and responsible.

This change means you need to separate two needs: disposal and purchase. For disposal, Target is still a great, eco-friendly option. For saving money on a new seat, you must look elsewhere. Check the manufacturer’s website for possible rebates. Subscribe to Target’s alerts for baby gear sales. The financial incentive is no longer tied to the act of recycling, so you have to hunt for deals independently.

[KimberlyRose]

I manage the service desk at a Target in the Midwest. We get asked about the trade-in daily. The program officially ended last spring. We no longer issue any coupons for car seats brought in. What we do have is a large collection bin for TerraCycle right behind our counter. We accept any condition—expired, used, or broken. It’s all dismantled. The plastic gets a new life as park benches or shipping pallets. It’s a genuine recycling effort, not a sales promotion. If you’re bringing a seat in, that’s what to expect: a thank you and the knowledge it won’t pollute a landfill. For discounts, keep an eye on our weekly ad.

[VonStephanie]

The end of Target’s coupon trade-in reflects a broader retail trend, shifting focus from promotional recycling to sustained environmental responsibility. The partnership with TerraCycle provides a permanent, no-cost solution for consumers, ensuring hazardous materials are processed correctly. This is crucial, as an estimated 10 million car seats reach end-of-life annually in the U.S., creating a significant waste challenge.

From a consumer standpoint, the loss of the 20% coupon alters the decision-making process. The value proposition is now purely ethical rather than economic. To compensate, savvy shoppers should proactively monitor alternative savings mechanisms. Major car seat brands like Graco and Chicco often run direct-to-consumer promotions. Furthermore, retailers like Amazon and Walmart periodically host competitive baby gear sales. Target’s own Circle program now carries the full weight of driving baby category sales, making digital coupon clipping more essential than ever. The recycling service remains a valuable community resource, but the onus for finding financial savings has returned to the consumer.