Millions of child car seats are sold each year. With a shelf life of six to 10 years, most of them will end up in landfills.
Local efforts to find long-term recycling solutions continue. In the meantime, here are some ideas for repurposing an expired car seat:
- Use the straps and padding to make handbags.
- Convert the seat into a swing for kids* or into a bed for dogs.
- Use the seat for pretend play* — they make great spaceship captain chairs, especially tipped toward the ceiling (er, space).
Check out other ideas on our Pinterest board.
* Update, Feb. 23: Since posting this, we’ve heard from local safety experts who recommend against using car seats as play items of any kind. Car seat straps are of particular concern as a strangulation hazard. Read more at the Recycle Your Car Seat blog.
Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your name and city of residence. Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog.
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