What to do with "expired" infant car seat

[volan]

I have a car seat that's taken me through 2 babies. Unfortunately it's now 4 years past the manufacture date and according to Transport Canada it can no longer be used.

So what do I do with it? Presumably I have to throw it in the garbage, but that's a real shame. If you look at the car seat it looks pristine.

Is there somewhere that takes old car seats and re-certifies them? Or do I really just have to throw it out?

Or are there other suggestions?

[Rehan]

The reason car seats have expiry dates is that the plastic deteriorates over time, especially when they're exposed to sun & heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. Even though your seat may look pristine to the naked eye, it is not as structurally sound as it used to be.

Don't take the risk, and just get rid of it.

[volan]

The reason car seats have expiry dates is that the plastic deteriorates over time, especially when they're exposed to sun & heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. Even though your seat may look pristine to the naked eye, it is not as structurally sound as it used to be.

Don't take the risk, and just get rid of it.I'm not planning on using it or giving it away or selling it, that would be unethical, immoral and probably illegal, but it just seems like a waste.

Transport Canada has to look at the worst case scenario, that is a carseat that's been installed in the car for 4 years going through intense heat in the summer and intense cold in the winter. This would definitely deteriorate the plastic. However in my case the car seat was only installed during actual trips and the base was installed for no more than 4 months at a time.

I'm sure that if there was a place that took old car seats and did strength tests they could easily re-certify it. I'm just wondering if such a place exists.

[ayeung]

Here is what I googled & found on Sick Kid Hospital website:

How should I throw away a seat that is too old to use or that has been in a crash?

1. Cutting of harness straps. Cut off the harness straps
2. Remove all the padding
3. Damage the seat so that no one else will be able to use it

You may be able to recycle the plastic shell of the car seat or booster seat.

You probably need to check with your city/region regarding recycling.

[volan]

Here is what I googled & found on Sick Kid Hospital website:

You may be able to recycle the plastic shell of the car seat or booster seat.

You probably need to check with your city/region regarding recycling.

Good idea! Thanks.

Edit: Just checked with the City of Calgary. They said there is no plastic recycling in Calgary, only soft clear plastic (like water bottles).

[CSK'sMom]

Just make sure you make it completely unusable before putting it out to the curb. I read not long ago that you are indeed responsible if that car seat is used and it's expired. That is exactly why Sick Kids recommends cutting the harness system and removing the padding. With that said, when we got rid of ours we did what Sick Kids recommends and also smashed the shell as much as we could.

[lochlan651]

Make sure you wreck it. If you throw it out someone will undoubtedly pick it out the the garbage and sell it.

Same people who sell used car seats on Craigslist, or baby items that have been recalled, or items that have been outlawed.

[ihk]

Unfortunately it's now 4 years past the manufacture date and according to Transport Canada it can no longer be used.isn't it 10 years (http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/1234/stage1/menu.htm#replace) if there's no expiry date?

[qster]

Its all a F'in money grab by the government and the child seat manufacturers wanting you to buy new every X years.

Sorry to say.. but the seat belts in the cars are what hold and restrain the child seat (loop around the metal restraint) and it prevents the child seat from ending up in the front windshield.
So... think about it.. do you change the seat beat harness every 6 years?

I guess, next Transport Canada will tell us that we have to replace all Saturn brand cars (doors and bumpers are made of plastic too!) every 6 years?
Maybe the boneheads who produce the child seats should think of another material to use instead of plastic (oil) if it supposed to become brittle overtime.

[ayeung]

isn't it 10 years (http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/1234/stage1/menu.htm#replace) if there's no expiry date?

They usually expire between 5-8 yrs most brands according to Transport Canada (http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/TP14563C/2007c10/menu.htm) website. But you are right, the guildline is 10 years if you can't find the expiry date.

[Bullseye]

Its all a F'in money grab by the government and the child seat manufacturers wanting you to buy new every X years.

Sorry to say.. but the seat belts in the cars are what hold and restrain the child seat (loop around the metal restraint) and it prevents the child seat from ending up in the front windshield.
So... think about it.. do you change the seat beat harness every 6 years?

I guess, next Transport Canada will tell us that we have to replace all Saturn brand cars (doors and bumpers are made of plastic too!) every 6 years?
Maybe the boneheads who produce the child seats should think of another material to use instead of plastic (oil) if it supposed to become brittle overtime.

The issue is that the plastic can get brittle with age, meaning the shell could potentially crack and release the whole seat from the seat belt or UAS assembly. The actual seat belt is not what wears out, which is why it's not an issue for the vehicle itself.

I'm sure the expiry date guidelines are ultra conservative, actual seat failure would probably take many years longer, and with much harsher conditions than most seats ensure. I'm fine with that, though, one dead child would be one too many if they got it wrong.

Ideally a better material would be used, yes, but I doubt anyone would want to pay the 'boneheads' ten times the price for better materials.

[volan]

I'm getting into this whole recycle thing and it just burns me up inside that I have to throw my car seat in the garbage, but it seems that's my only option.

I know people who are using expired car seats for their babies. I would not do it, but if only there was a recycling facility or a re-certification facility. But I've not been able to find one.

[mrcantrell]

I'm fine with that, though, one dead child would be one too many if they got it wrong.

QFT...

qster: How would you feel if that one dead child were yours? Personally, I'd buy a new car seat every year if I thought my current one was unsafe.

[l69norm]

...I know people who are using expired car seats for their babies. I would not do it, but if only there was a recycling facility or a re-certification facility. But I've not been able to find one.

It's kind of like propane tanks. There are places that re-certify them after they expire, but it costs more than buying a new propane tank.

I looked for any links of deaths attributed to expired car seats, but couldn't find any (yet)

I did come across this - it's a test of a 10 year old seat. The belts rip right out of the seat on impact.
http://home.comcast.net/~dcbsr/test/Britax_GMTV_Check_It_Fits_Child_Facing_Forwards_te n_years_old_seat.mpeg

PS,
1. The same thing applies to a car seat that's been through a traffic accident.
2. Some suggest to dispose by putting it inside a big garbage bag instead to prevent trash picking

[laterhappy]

Here in Victoria I phoned to recycling place and asked if they could be recycled and was told that yes they can all they ask is that you separate the materials and then you have to take them to the recycling location yourself..they are not part of the Curb service...