Has your child outgrown their seat? Is it expired? Has it been in an accident? If so, don’t throw it out – RECYCLE IT!

NARPRO (Network of Auto Repair Professionals) is partnering with Child Crisis Arizona, Safe Kids Maricopa County and numerous local organizations to collect old, expired, and damaged car seats which volunteers will take apart for proper recycling. Car seats don’t last forever, and over time their components will break down, especially in the hot Arizona sun.

Older car seats or those that have been involved in an accident may not have visible damage, but they should not be used. This annual event helps those with older, expired, or damaged car seats get rid of them in an environmentally friendly way, by keeping them out of vehicles and landfills.

Anyone can drop off car seats that need to be recycled at one of the participating Network of Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals shops from now until April 15, 2020. Find a participating NARPRO location at NARPRO.com/find-a-shop.

On April 18, volunteers and NARPRO shop owners will be dismantling the old car seats. They will recycle the plastic, metal and fabric components separately. For example, elements of the fabric, padding, and straps can be used in animal shelters. Quilted fabric becomes bedding or chew toys for the animals. Long straps make free leashes. Clean polystyrene foam (rigid foam) from seats can be recycled into an Earth Friendly Block™ which are used in commercial and residential construction.

Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) helps car owners find skilled and honest car repair shops. NARPRO only recommends independent, family-owned, full-service auto repair shops that have passed 26 rigorous tests. NARPRO.com to find recommended shops near work or home. NARPRO is the easiest way to find an honest mechanic in the Valley.

Safe Kids Maricopa County is led by Child Crisis Arizona, which provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving our common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. Childcrisisaz.org/safe-kids-maricopa/