Champaign Target Offers Car Seat Trade-In For A Limited Time

Grab those old car seats and boosters — and mark your calendar for Target’s car seat trade-in event

Bring an old car seat or booster to Target and get a coupon to save on a new car seat, stroller and more

Target’s car seat recycling event will return to Champaign starting on April 5, so now is the time to empty your garage or basement — and get a chance to save on something new, too.

Target will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant seats, convertible seats, car seat bases, harness or booster car seats and car seats that are expired or damaged. All seats are recycled, NOT reused.

This popular car seat trade-in and recycling program will last from April 5-17 at all stores, including the one in Champaign at 2102 N. Prospect Ave.

Those who bring in a trade-in will receive a coupon for 20 percent off one new seat, stroller or select baby gear item. Be sure to read below about the new way Target will be distributing the coupons. You need to make sure you have the Target Circle mobile app.

This is a much needed service, especially in the Champaign-Urbana area, where there is no consistent option to recycle car seats.

Here’s what you need to know about Target Car Seat Recycling Trade-In Program

For those who want the coupon, make sure to download the Target app on your phone. Customers must be enrolled in Target Circle to participate in the trade-in and receive a coupon.

Have two car seats? You can redeem this offer twice per Circle account. Coupons can be applied to both in-store and online purchases and are eligible through May 1.

This is how the program worked most recently in the fall of 2020

Step 1: Bring an old car seat or base to a nearby Target and drop it in the designated box inside the store.
Step 2: Open the Target App to scan the code on the box. Talk to a Team Member in Guest Services if you need help.
Step 3: Open the Wallet in the Target App and view “Extra offers” to find the coupon.
Step 4: Click the green checkmark next to the offer and place your order online, or scan your barcode at the register.

The old car seats will go to Waste Management. According to Target, Waste Management will recycle the parts to create things like grocery carts, plastic buckets and construction materials.

Target has conducted an April trade-in event, around the time of Earth Day, annually. It didn’t happen in 2020, most likely due to the pandemic; they did run one in the fall of 2020.

Target introduced its first car seat trade-in program in April 2016. Since the program launched, more than one million car seats have been recycled. To date, through trade-in programs, Target has recycled more than 17 million pounds of materials, according to its website.

No word on whether Walmart is holding a car seat trade-in event in 2021. The last update from the retailer was in September 2020. Last year, response to Walmart’s car seat trade-in event was so strong, the event ended early.