Target Car Seat Trade in Event [2023, 2022 & Before]

Get ready??! The popular Target Car Seat Trade-In Event 2023 is coming!!

The Target car seat trade-in event, which started in 2016, encourages customers to bring in their old car seats for recycling in exchange for a discount on a new car seat or baby gear purchase. Since then, Target will hold its car seat trade-in event twice every year. 

In 2023, the Target car seat trade-in event will start on April 16 and last until April 29. If you have an old or expired car seat, don’t miss this chance to join the trade-in event. Bringing the old or expired car seats will reward you with a 20% off coupon. It’s VERY good! 

Remember,  the coupon should be used before May 13, 2023

In this article, we will discuss the Target car seat trade-in event in detail, its benefits, and how it contributes to sustainability.

What is the Target Car Seat Trade-In Event

The Target car seat trade-in event is an initiative that allows customers to recycle their old or expired car seats while also providing them with an opportunity to purchase a new car seat or other baby things at a discounted price.

This event is part of Target’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to reduce its environmental impact.

During the event, customers are encouraged to bring their old or expired car seats to participating Target stores – you can find Target car seat Trade-In near me using this tool and drop off them in specific boxes. 

In exchange, they will receive a 20% off coupon that can be used towards the purchase of a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or select baby gear. Customers can use their coupons online or in-store and should use the coupon before a given date – May 13, 2023, this year. 

The event is open to any type of car seat, including infant car seats, convertible car seats, car seat bases, and booster seats. Once the old car seats are collected, Target’s partner, Waste Management disassembles them and sorts the recycling materials.

The Car Seat Trade-In Event has been held twice a year since 2016. The exact dates of the event may vary each year, so it’s always a good idea to check the Target website or in-store for the exact dates of the event. Bookmark or follow this page to receive the latest news on Target Car Seat Trade-In 2023, 2024, and the future. 

We also have listed the Target car seat trade in 2022, 2021, and previous years.

When is Target Car Seat Trade In 2023

You may have noticed, we have mentioned the Target car seat trade-in event 2023 many times and the exact date is:

April 16th, 2023 - April 29th, 2023

This is the next Target car seat trade in event. If you have an old or expired car seat, catch the chance to get a 20% discount code to buy new baby things.

What Are the Positives of the Target Car Seat Trade-In Event?

Efforts like this are a win-win, saving parents money in these times of financial hardship while also supporting sustainability efforts for the planet.

There are several benefits of the Target Car Seat Trade-in program, including:

Environmental benefits

The program promotes sustainability by encouraging customers to recycle their old and expired car seats, reducing the amount of waste in landfills. By recycling old car seats, Target can reduce the environmental impact of the products it sells.

Consumer benefits

The program provides customers with a 20% off discount on a new car seat purchase, saving money for parents who are experiencing financial hardship in these times.

The most important part is that participating in the Car Seat Trade-In Event can be an excellent opportunity for parents and caregivers to ensure that their child’s car seat is safe and up-to-date. Car seats are designed to protect in the event of an accident, but they can become less effective over time. As a result, car seat manufacturers recommend that car seats be replaced every six to ten years, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines. Check this post on finding expiration dates for car seats from different brands.

The Car Seat Trade-In Event provides an excellent opportunity for parents to dispose of their old or expired car seats responsibly and replace them with a new, safer model, increasing the chance that parents correctly use a child’s safety seat.

Impact of the Target Car Seat Trade In Event on Sustainability

2.19 Million

Recycle 2.19 million car seats since 2016

32.9 Million

Recycle 32.9 million pounds of materials recycled since 2016

The Target Car Seat Trade-in event has had a significant impact on sustainability since its inception in 2016. According to Target, the program has resulted in the recycling of over 2.19 million car seats and over 32.9 million pounds of car seat materials, including plastic, metal, and fabric. This has helped to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and promote sustainability.

In addition to the environmental impact, the program has also contributed to Target’s sustainability goals. Target has set a goal to divert 70% of its waste from landfills by 2022, and the Car Seat Trade-in program has helped to achieve this goal. By recycling old and expired car seats, Target has been able to reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfills and promote sustainability.

The event has also had a positive impact on the community. By encouraging customers to participate in the program, Target has helped to create a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment.

The program has provided an opportunity for customers to take action and make a difference in promoting sustainability. This has helped to create a positive image for Target as a responsible corporate citizen and has helped to build customer loyalty.

Moreover, the program has also had a ripple effect beyond Target. Other retailers have taken notice of the program and have started implementing similar initiatives. This has led to increased awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainability and has encouraged other companies to take action to reduce their environmental impact.

How does the Target Car Seat Trade In Work

Participating in the Target Car Seat Trade-In 2023 Event can’t be easier.

You just need to bring your car seat to any available Target store location. There you’ll find a few drop-off boxes near the Guest Service area and you can leave your old or expired car seats. Then you may find the signs -generally barcodes, near the drop-off boxes and scan them with your phone, automatically direct to your Target Circle account (if you have one) and you’ll receive the 20% off coupon. 

According to Target, this coupon can be used to purchase a new car seat, a stroller, or other select baby gear and it applies to both in-store and online purchases. One coupon per Target Circle account, but the Target car seat trade in coupon can be redeemed twice before it’s expired in May during the 2023 Target car seat trade-in event. 

You should note that the Target car seat trade-in program only happens at a Target store, offline. The lucky point is that almost all Target stores provide this trade-in service from April 16 to April 29, 2023, except for select small format stores.

What is the Target Car Seat Trade-In Event

Convertible/ All-in-one

65 lbs/ 49" ~ 120 lbs/ 63"

Booster Car Seat

100 lbs/ 57" ~ 120 lbs/ 63"

Car Seat Base

Work with infant car seat

During the Target Car Seat Trade-In 2023, multiple types of car seats are accepted, including these:

Infant car seats

These car seats are designed for newborns and can typically be used until the baby reaches a weight of 30-35 pounds or a height of 32 inches, depending on the model.

Check our posts on this topic:

Convertible and all-in-one car seats

These car seats can be used for both infants and toddlers and can be converted from a rear-facing to a forward-facing position as the child grows. They can typically be used until the child reaches a weight of 65-120 pounds, depending on the type and model.

Check our posts on this topic:

Booster car seats

Booster seats (including harnessed boosters, high-back boosters, and backless boosters) are designed for older children who have outgrown their convertible car seat but are not yet tall enough to use a regular seat belt.

They can typically be used until the child reaches a height of 4 feet 9 inches or a weight of 100-120 pounds, depending on the model.

Check our posts on this topic:

Car seat bases

Car seat bases are usually used to secure infant car seats in vehicles. They can be an essential component of a car seat travel system.

Can I Take an Expired Car Seat for the Target Trade-In?

Yes, of course, Target accepts expired car seats during their Car Seat Trade-In Event. However, it’s important to note that expired car seats should not be used for their original purpose of protecting a child in a car.

Car seats have an expiration date because the materials used in the seat can degrade over time, making them less effective in protecting a child during a crash.

The expiration date can be found on a sticker on the seat or in the manual that came with the car seat. If your car seat has expired, it’s recommended that you dispose of it and purchase a new one that meets the latest safety standards.

By participating in Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event and recycling your expired car seat, you can help ensure that it’s disposed of responsibly and doesn’t end up in a landfill where it can harm the environment. Additionally, you can earn a 20% off coupon towards a new car seat, booster seat, or car seat base.

What is the Target Car Seat Trade-In Event

The Target Car Seat Trade-In program allows you to receive a 20% off coupon towards a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or select baby gear. If you plan to get a new car seat in the trade-in event, here are some of the best items you can buy with the coupon.

Infant
Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller

This infant car seat is designed for infants from 4-35 pounds and has an impact-absorbing base and a steel frame for superior protection. It also features a quick-adjust harness and a no-rethread harness system for easy adjustments as your baby grows.

It’s the only infant car seat with wheels for the best portability, making it a good car seat for travel.

Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$550

2-in-1 Convertible
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

This 2-in-1 convertible car seat is designed for kids from 5-65 pounds and has a 50-lb weight limit for extended rear-facing. It has an adjustable extension panel to give extra room for your kid rear-facing. It also features a solid steel frame for superior protection and a quick-adjust harness and a no-rethread harness system for easy adjustments as your baby grows.

Graco Extend2Fit

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$239.99

All-in-one convertible
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat

This all-in-one convertible car seat can be used as a rear-facing seat for infants, a forward-facing seat for toddlers, and a belt-positioning booster for older children. It has the highest weight and height limits – up to 120 pounds and 63 inches.

It features an adjustable headrest and harness system and a removable and washable cover for easy cleaning.

Britax One4Life

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$399.99

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

This car seat is designed to last from infancy to toddlerhood to childhood and can be used as a rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat, high-back booster, and backless booster. It’s the best 4-in-1 car seat. It has an easy-to-adjust harness system and a 10-position headrest for optimal comfort and safety.

Graco 4Ever DLX

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$329.99

Booster
Graco Tranzitions 2-in-1 Harness Booster

This harness booster seat is designed for children from 22-10 pounds and can be used as a harness booster, a belt-positioning booster, and a backless booster. It features an adjustable headrest and a 5-point harness system for optimal safety and comfort.

Graco Tranzitions - 100 lbs

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$109.99

Chicco KidFit Booster Seat

This booster seat is designed for children from 30-110 pounds and features a unique SuperCinch LATCH attachment and tightener system for easy and secure installation. It also has a 10-position headrest and a double foam-lined shell for added comfort and protection.

Graco Tranzitions - 100 lbs

Key Features
The Good
The Bad

$109.99

These are just a few examples of the many popular high-quality car seats, booster seats, and car seat bases that you can purchase with the 20% off coupon during the Target Car Seat Trade-In Program. It’s always a good idea to do your research and read reviews before purchasing to ensure that you’re buying a seat that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Check our post on

FAQs on Target Car Seat Trade-In 2023

What are the Target car seat trade-in 2023 dates?

The first 2023 Target car seat trade in will run from April 16th (Sunday) to April 29th (Saturday) and lasts fourteen days.

How many car seats can I turn in at the Target car seat trade in 2023?

There is no limit to how many car seats you can bring for trade-in. So you can bring as many car seats as you want for this trade-in event!

However, you should know this – Each Target Circle account can load one coupon at one time, no matter how many car seats you bring for this trade-in event. But you can redeem the Target car seat trade-in a 20% off coupon twice for a new baby gear item.

Can you use the Target car seat trade-in coupon online?

Absolutely. According to Target, the coupon can be used both online and in-store. Target encourages customers to use their coupons online so that the stores won’t be too crowded and to help manage inventory. That’s why Target says that the 20% off coupon can be used combined with other item offers. 

Even better, you can use the coupon twice. Just remember that the coupon should be used before a given date – May 13, 2023.

What to do with an expired 2023 car seat? 

The best way is to trade in the expired car seat at Target to exchange for a discount code on a new one.

If it’s not possible to join the Target car seat exchange, or the expiration date is not within the trade-in event, you need to find another recycling program or destroy it, avoiding the expired car seat being used by other people. and pick it up to use – or sell. Yes, this stuff happens.

Cut the harness and take a sledgehammer to the plastic shell. If you happen to replace your old car seat with the same model (which we did after our infant car seat was in an accident), you may be able to keep the fabric seat cover to reuse; contact your manufacturer to see if they’ll approve it.

Some states also offer car seat recycling programs, which you can read about here.

Does Walmart do car seat trade-ins?

Walmart car seat recycling events happened in late 2019 and early 2020. They were so popular that this retailer giant had to shut off later. But the Walmart car seat trade in programs have disposed of thousands of car seats. It’s not clear if Walmart will continue the program but as of this post writing they haven’t announced another round. 

Is there an Amazon car seat trade-in 2023?

Unfortunately, there’s no Amazon car seat trade-in in 2023. Amazon is not like Target. So I doubt there ever will be, to be completely honest.

Target Car Seat Trade-In Dates from 2023 and Before

Since April 2016, Target hold 15 car seat trade-in events, counting the latest 2023 spring version. If you want to know the historical dates of when is Target car seat trade-in events for each year, check the table listing the details.

Target Car Seat Trade In 2023

April 16-29, 2023

Target Car Seat Trade In 2022

April 18-30, 2022
September 11-24, 2022

Target Car Seat Trade In 2021

April 5-17, 2021
September 12-25, 2021

Target Car Seat Trade In 2020

April 5-17, 2020
September 13-26, 2020

Target Car Seat Trade In 2019

April 22-May 4, 2019
September 3-13, 2019

Target Car Seat Trade In 2018

April 22-May 5, 2018
September 9-22, 2018

Target Car Seat Trade In 2017

April 17-30, 2017
September 10-23, 2017
Target Car Seat Trade In Event Start Date End Date Coupon Effective Date
2023 Spring April 16 April 29 May 13
2022 Fall September 11 September 24 October 8, 2022
2022 Spring April 18 April 30 May 14
2021 Fall September 12 September 25 October 2, 2022
2021 Spring April 5 April 17 May 1, 2021
2020 Fall September 13 September 26 October 5, 2021
2020 Spring April 5 April 17 May 1, 2021
2019 Fall September 3 September 13 September 14, 2019
2019 Spring April 22 May 4 May 11, 2019
2018 Fall September 9 September 22 October 6, 2018
2018 Spring April 22 May 5 May 19, 2018
2017 Fall September 10 September 23 October 3, 2017
2017 Spring April 17 April 30 May 31, 2017