can you donate car seats

[AngelinaMarie]

Yes, you can donate car seats, but it's not as simple as dropping them off anywhere. The answer depends heavily on the seat's condition, age, and local organization policies. Most major charities like Goodwill will not accept used car seats due to liability concerns, but specialized organizations and local groups often do if the seat is not expired and has never been in a crash.

The primary hurdle is safety. Car seats have an expiration date, typically 6 to 10 years from manufacture, which you can find on a sticker. This is because plastic degrades over time and can compromise protection in an accident. A seat with any visible cracks, missing parts, or an unknown history should never be donated and must be recycled.

Your best bet is to look for local options. Crisis nurseries, women's shelters, and religious organizations sometimes accept recent-model seats to help families in need. Always call ahead to confirm their specific requirements. Another excellent resource is Safe Kids Worldwide, which often holds car seat inspection events and can guide you to proper donation or recycling channels.

If donation isn't possible, recycling is the responsible choice. Many retailers like Target host annual car seat trade-in events, offering a coupon in exchange for your old seat, which is then broken down into recyclable materials.

Organization / Method	Accepts Used Seats?	Key Conditions & Notes
Goodwill / Salvation Army	Typically No	National policy often prohibits them due to liability.
Local Women's Shelter	Sometimes	Call first; often requires seats to be under 5 years old and crash-free.
Safe Kids Coalition	Varies	Connects you with local safety inspection events and donation options.
Target Trade-In Program	Yes (for recycling)	Annual event; seat is recycled, not resold. You get a store coupon.
Facebook Buy-Nothing Groups	Yes	Direct peer-to-peer gifting; you must fully disclose the seat's history.
Recycling Centers	Yes	Seats are dismantled; plastic, metal, and fabric are separated.

[VonKai]

As a mom of three, I've passed down seats within my family, but for others, I go through my local "Buy Nothing" group on Facebook. It's perfect for gifting a seat you know is safe to a neighbor who needs it. You have to be totally honest about its age and that it's never been in a wreck. It feels good knowing it's going directly to help someone in your own community.

[McAnnie]

You've got to check the expiration date first—it's usually stamped on the back. If it's still good, call your local fire department or a crisis pregnancy center. They might not advertise it, but they often work with families who can't afford a new one. Just be sure it's clean, has all its parts, and you can honestly say it's never been in a crash. If not, recycling is the only safe option.

[Dianne]

From a sustainability angle, I always look for ways to keep items out of the landfill. If the car seat is modern and undamaged, donating it extends its life and reduces waste. I found a local charity that specializes in baby gear for low-income families. They performed a quick safety check themselves. It’s a win-win: you get rid of a bulky item responsibly, and a family gets a vital piece of safety equipment they needed.