If you’re ready to retire a seat, use these tips, courtesy of the recycling program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They’re especially important, because data shows that you’ll go through three car seats for each of your kids over the years.

1. Use scissors to cut off the fabric, foam padding, and harness straps from the seat.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove as much metal as possible. Some cannot be removed easily.
3. Remove the car seat cover and any padding underneath it.
4. Discard the fabric, foam padding, straps, and mixed metal/plastic pieces and small
   plastic pieces.
5. Mark the plastic as expired or unsafe.
6. Recycle the bulky plastic body and all metal pieces.

A number of organizations offer periodic car-seat recycling programs or continuously accept seats to recycle. Some will strip the seats for you. Otherwise, look into various community programs listed below.

If you find that the only practical alternative is to dispose of the seat in the trash, remove the straps and get rid of them separately, or cut them so that the seat can’t be used again.