♻️ 2026 Spring Target Car Seat Recycling Trade-In Event FAQ: Everything You Need to Know ♻️
Updated April 19, 2026
Here we go! The Target Trade-in Event is on right now: April 19-May 2, 2026.
Get those old, crashed, or get-them-out-of-my-house car seats ready to be recycled into real items sold at Target!
Did you know most towns and cities don’t have recycling programs for car seats*? When you’ve been in a crash, many car seat manufacturers want the car seat to be replaced, whether or not it was occupied during the crash. Crash forces can do damage to the plastic we can’t see, and engineers design car seats to absorb forces, just like our vehicles have crumple zones to mitigate or lessen, crash forces.
*Some cities do have recycling drop-off locations, and Clek has a recycling program for their car seats and price is determined by seat.
Before there were trade-in events, most of us had very few choices besides throwing out the car seat when it was expired or if it had been involved in a crash. Babies R Us started the trade-in trend in 2010, partly to get recalled items out of circulation, and Target got in on the fun in 2016. Walmart joined in once to offer discounts to those who wanted to ditch some seats for coupons, but discontinued their trade-in event early when everyone with a car seat took advantage of the great deal they were offering. Unfortunately, Walmart is not running a trade-in event this year to our knowledge.
🎯 From April 19-May 2, Target will have a large box at the front of the store where you can place your car seat. The seat can be expired, damaged, or recalled. Or it can be perfectly fine and you just don’t need it anymore. All car seats will be recycled by Ecotech and what can be used will be turned into Brightroom products and construction materials. Target claims to have recycled over 3.5 million car seats, which translates to more than 49 million pounds of car seats, in the 9 years they’ve had this program with the Waste Management and now Ecotech companies. Way to go, everyone!
What they take:
Rear-facing only infant seats
Infant seat bases
Convertible seats
All-in-ones/3-in-1s/4-in-1s/5-in-1s
Harness-to-boosters (combination) seats
Belt-positioning boosters (highback and backless)
What they give you:
Scan the QR code for a Circle Bonus discount for 20% off a new car seat, stroller, stroller wagons, or select baby gear (playards, high chairs, swings, rockers, or bouncers) for each seat turned in. This discount, stored in your Wallet in the Target app, can be redeemed TWICE.
The discount is valid until May 16, 2026, and the discount can be used in-app if the brick and mortar store doesn’t have your preferred item.
Target has you use their Target app so everything is contactless. Download the app before you leave home to save time, if you don’t already have it (and your Target REDcard loaded into it for easy spending!).
What to do and tips for success:
Plan to drop off your car seat and buy your new one early! Supplies may be limited in-store, though you can use the Target app right there to buy online (yes, thanks, Target, for taking more of my money as I’m walking your aisles!).
You don’t have to cut any straps or take off any covers. Conversely, if your seat doesn’t have a cover, that’s OK too!
When you get to the store, place your car seat in the big box at the front of the store*.
Open the Target app and scan the code on the box. If there’s a problem, talk to a team member in Guest Services.
Open your Wallet in the Target app and tap on “Extra offers.” You’ll see your discount there plus any others.
Tap the red + next to the offer. You can either place an online order or scan the barcode at the register (don’t forget to do this!).
*You may want to call your Target first to see if they’re participating before you drive there. In the past, some didn’t participate at all.
Will they actually give you 1 code per car seat turned in if you have a bunch of car seats? Yes. You can only receive one code per Target Circle account, though some cashiers may give you credit for an extra turned in car seat. You can, however, use 1 code for 2 car seats🙌. Because it’s in your app, you can’t share the code with anyone.
Can I combine/stack code?
You can only use one (1) 20% off discount per car seat or baby gear purchase, but you can stack the code with other discounts like Target Circle and the 5% discount you get when you use your Target REDcard. This year, Target stopped allowing stacking of registry coupons on top of all the other discounts.
Once you have your discount, use it fast. For the last several trade-in events, car seat stock has been low and sold out fast so it pays to do your research now and be ready to use that 20% off since Target won’t issue rainchecks. Amazon generally does lower its prices at this time, but there are Target-exclusive fashions, especially with Graco products. If you prefer to use your computer to shop instead of the app, fill your online cart, then give customer service a call and they’ll help you apply your 20% off discount before you click the “I’m ready to check out” button.
Are there restrictions or exclusions?
Some restrictions include Wonderfold, Doona, items sold and shipped by Target Plus, and clearance items. You can find out about the current restrictions here.
The biggest question we get asked? Will Walmart do a trade-in event?
No. That was a one-and-done fiasco of an event back in September 2019. *We* loved it; *Walmart* got screwed 😆 so they aren’t participating again. Maybe we can dream about them coming back in the future . . .
When is the next event?
If you’re not ready to recycle your current car seat, don’t worry about having to hold onto it for another year. Target will have another event in mid-September.
Don’t be afraid to ask us questions in the comments or on our Facebook page! Please share if you find this helpful and don’t forget to also follow us on Instagram!
Current Sale Prices
Infant Seats
Sale Price: $212 15% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $202
Convertible/All-in-One/Rotating Car Seats
Sale Price: $263 6% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $250
Sale Price: $449 10% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $427
Sale Price: $224 10% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $213
Combination/Harness-to-Booster Car Seats
Sale Price: $199 17% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $190
Belt-Positioning Booster Seats
Graco TurboBooster LX Highback with Safety Surround
Sale Price: $79 20% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $75
Graco TurboBooster LX Backless
Sale Price: $39 20% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $37
Sale Price: $89 10% Off | Price with 5% RedCard Discount: $85