The much beloved Target car seat trade-in event returns to Champaign in 2026
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 returns to Champaign for the first time since September 2024, and it’s not a moment too soon.
Bring in your old car seats — no matter the size or condition — and get a chance to save on something new, too. (Oh, and this includes boosters too, did we mention that?)
Just in time to coincide with Earth Day, the car seat trade-in will take place from April 19 to May 2, 2026. Guests will have the opportunity to recycle old, expired or damaged car seats and/or booster seats.
Those who trade in an old car seats will receive a 20 percent off bonus toward a new car seat, car seat base, travel system, stroller or select baby home gear. Select baby home gear includes play yards, high chairs, swings, rockers, bouncers, walkers, entertainers and jumpers. The coupon can be redeemed through May 16, 2026.
This is a much needed service, especially in the Champaign-Urbana area, where there is no consistent option to recycle car seats.
Target will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant seats, convertible seats, car seat bases, harness or booster car seats and even car seats that are expired or damaged. All seats are recycled, NOT reused.
This popular car seat trade-in and recycling program is a nationwide event; participating Targets include the one in Champaign at 2102 N. Prospect Avenue as well as the Target on Mound Street in Decatur.
(Remember there are two Targets in Champaign — but the Campustown location does NOT participate as it is a small-format store. That’s hardly surprising, but we did call to make sure last time.)
To get the coupon, make sure you have the Target Circle mobile app and are a Target Circle member.
Here’s what you need to know about Target Car Seat 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.
You can recycle as many car seats as you want, however each Circle account will receive ONE coupon. That coupon can be redeemed twice. Coupons can be applied to both in-store and online purchases and are eligible for use only through May 16.
This is how the program worked most recently
- Step 1: Bring an old car seat, base, booster, etc. to a nearby Target and drop it in the designated box inside the store.
- Step 2: Open the Target mobile app to scan the code on the box. Talk to a Team Member in Guest Services if you need help.
- Step 3: Upon scanning, the guest will receive one 20 percent off Target Circle™ Bonus per account.
- Step 4: The bonus will stay in your Circle wallet until you use it twice or it expires after May 16.
According to Target’s website, materials from the old car seats will be recycled by Target’s partners to create new products such as pallets, plastic buckets, construction materials such as steel beams and carpet padding, and select Brightroom items.
Target introduced its first car seat trade-in program in April 2016. Since then, over 3.5 million car seats — or 1.2 million pounds of car seat material — have been recycled, according to the Target website.
More info on recycling in Champaign-Urbana
- Registration for the countywide spring Electronics Recycling Event is now open.
- For more information regarding where to recycle — just about anything — in Champaign-Urbana, please visit our Champaign-Urbana recycling guide.
- Want to know where to donate your gently used stuff in Champaign-Urbana? Check out that article here.