Target, a well-known department store in the city, hosts car seat trade-ins twice a year. The national event usually lasts two weeks (in September and April) and occurs at two out of the six Target stores in Boston.
Location | Car Seat Trade-In* |
South Bay | Yes |
Fenway | Yes |
Fields Corner | No - store is too small, so does not have space to collect car seats. |
Roslindale | No - store is too small, so does not have space to collect car seats. |
Packards Corner | No - store is too small, so does not have space to collect car seats. |
Beacon Hill | No - store is too small, so does not have space to collect car seats. |
*The above information was from a Target Staff member at the Fields Corner store. Feel free to visit each store in-person to see if they in fact offer the trade-in program.
Families bring in their old or outgrown carseats -- even ones that are expired and/or are damaged. There are designated areas at the front of the stores and Target Circle members are able to get 20% bonuses off of a new car seat, booster seat, stroller, or other travel system.
Since the bonus is only given once per account holder, families can divy up the car seats throughout the year. Meaning if you have two car seats to trade-in, consider bringing one in September and one in April, in order to maximize the bonus you receive. Or you can ask a family member to do the trade. If you're not a Target shopper, you can just bring all of your car seats to a store at once, and feel good about minimizing waste.
Please know the city doesn't recycle car seats. If you put one out on trash day, it will get thrown out.
Event History
Since April of 2016, Target has held annual trade-in events. The department store has partnered with Waste Management in the past to divert car seat waste. Together the companies are able to collect car seat parts and use them to create new materials such as plastic buckets and carpet padding.
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