Can you recycle child car seats?
General waste/recycling centre — expired seats must NOT be donated or resold.
Car seats expire (typically 6–10 years from manufacture) and can't be resold or donated after a crash or expiry because hidden damage makes them unsafe. Dismantle if you can: metal parts to scrap, fabric off, plastic shell to rigid plastics where accepted. Occasional retailer trade-in events (Halfords has run them) are the best route.
Tips
- Cut the straps before disposal so it can't be reused unsafely
Which bin does it go in?
General waste/recycling centre — expired seats must NOT be donated or resold.
Check booking, proof-of-address and vehicle rules before travelling.
Background: Reuse, repair or donate before recycling.
Also searched as: child seat, booster seat, baby seat.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?