How to Properly Dispose of Non-Recyclable Baby Gear

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Are you decluttering your home? Has this process left you with a pile of baby gear your toddler has outgrown, no longer uses, or that is worn out? Kids have a pile of stuff from gifts, toys, clothing, strollers and more that they rarely use or do not need. The greatest challenge for a guardian is identifying what needs to go.

Although you might be tempted to toss or stash your baby items for future use, there are numerous responsible and easy ways to clean up the clutter depending on the condition, the product, and the life span of the gear. As a parent, you have at least four options: sell it, donate it, throw it away, or recycle it.

When thinking about the environment, it’s important to understand why zero-waste alternatives to recycling should be considered before tossing your used baby items in the landfill. Giving your child's non-recyclable gear a new home might greatly impact the planet at large. Keep reading to find out how to sell or recycle your old baby gear sustainably.

Why Appropriate Disposal of Non-Recyclable Baby Gear Makes a Difference

Poor disposal of non-recyclable baby gear can result in serious health issues, environmental problems and adding even more perfectly functional items to landfills. Here’s why proper disposal of non- recyclable baby gear is critical.

Environmental protection

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EAP), non- recyclable baby gear like strollers, car seats diapers, crib mattresses and more can accumulate valuable space on Earth. It also might release harmful substances into the environment. Emission of greenhouse gases is one of the dangers when they start to decompose if not disposed of well, leading to contamination of groundwater, surface water, land, and air.

Make money & support local recycling centers

Proper disposal of non- recyclable baby gear offers an avenue to generate money. In fact, parents who sell their used gear with GoodBuy Gear instead of throwing it away earn an average of $222. In addition to this, proper disposal creates employment in the waste management industry, recycling facilities and non-profit donation hubs (think: Goodwill or Terracycle).

Good health

Proper disposal of non-recyclable baby wear benefits the health and general well-being of ourselves as parents and our children. For instance, improper disposal of baby gear can release a large amount of harmful gasses into the atmosphere once they start decomposing, which might cause unwanted effects.

Improves the aesthetic appeal of a place

Correct disposal of non- recyclable baby gear can improve the aesthetic appeal of a place, improve its value, and significantly reduce the cost of cleanups. An unattractive waste pile can destroy the aesthetic appeal of a place, increase the cost of cleanups, lower the property value of surrounding homes, and reduce the quality of life. Not sure how to start decluttering with kids? We compiled nine tips from expert organizers to help cleanse your space.

Identifying If Baby Gear Should Be Recycled or Reused

Once you’re decluttered and ready to purge the items no longer serving your family, it’s time to identify which baby gear can be recycled or reused.

Sippy Cups and Mealtime Accessories

Get rid of sippy cups, dishware and baby bottles by discarding them into your curbside bin, as they are normally made from HDPE or PET plastic. In case they are still in good condition they are perfectly fine resale, or you can inquire at local daycare centers, schools, churches, neighbors, and family friends with younger kids to see if they’d take more for snack time. You can also reuse or resell other mealtime accessories such as high chairs and even breast pumps (Medela and Elvie are two brands that yield especially high resale value!).

Milk Jugs and Cartons

Place milk jugs and other jugs, baby food jars, food pouches, plastic bags in your recycling bin. In most places, beverages have been accepted as curbside recyclables. When you place them in your recycling bin, ensure they are empty and the caps are screwed on tight.

Baby Bathtubs

You can pass down or sell your baby's bathtub. If your recycling program accepts rigid plastics (these are plastics that are hard to break and hold a certain shape, like a laundry-detergent bottle or bucket ) the bathtub can also be placed in the  recycling bin.

Pacifiers

Pacifiers are susceptible to cracks and can harbor bacteria. It is, therefore, not recommended to donate pacifiers that are already used and we only recommend buying open box pacifiers. Once your little is ready to wave bye-bye, you have to throw the pacifiers in the garbage bin, as they are too small to make it through the recycling sorting process.

Electronic Toys

Normally, if the toy has a battery or a cord, you ought to recycle it with other electronics. You can group these toys with other broken toasters, broken hair dryers, computers, and TV on your community's electronic pickup day.

Alternatives to Disposing of Non-Recyclable Baby Gear

You have four options for disposing of non- recyclable baby gear, depending on the condition and the product's age. These options include:

• Donating
• Disposing
• Selling

How to Sell Non-Recyclable Baby Gear

The process of taking pictures, researching pricing, messaging with strangers, negotiating on price and coordinating a time to meet to exchange money for goods is not only a waste of your valuable time, it’s not always safe. Our selling service removes all that friction by coming straight to your door to pick up your gear. We even negotiate price and list it on our site, so you don’t have to deal with any bargaining or sketchy Facebook Marketplace meetups. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Sign Up to Sell: Schedule a pickup or drop-off day at one of our seller locations. 
2. We Sell It: We hand inspect the item and list it on our site. We even recommend pricing, take photos and ship your items to their new home, so you don't have to. 
3. You Get Paid: Once your items sell, you’ll get up to 90% of the sale price in the form of cash or store credit.

Start Selling With Us

We currently offer selling services in four metro areas and are expanding to more soon! If we don’t currently service your area, we recommend finding a trade-in program or donating if you can. By simply donating, you will be helping your community and, at the same time, helping Mother Earth. 

Reusable Baby Gear to Resell Instead of Recycling

Strollers

Suppose your stroller is still rolling well and you are not planning on using it soon; selling it or is the ideal option. Ensure it has a thorough cleaning and still has all the essential parts before scheduling your pickup or drop-off.

Car Seats

Get rid of your baby's car seat, whether it's outdated, past its expiration date or outgrown. Depending on your location, you've got several options on how to dispose of it safely. You can either resell it with GoodBuy Gear if it meets all the safety standards, or recycle it it. Purchasing an open box or gently used car seat is only recommended if it passes the 30-point proprietary GoodBuy™ Car Seat Safety Check process. 

Rockers and Swings

Your kid can move onto bigger and better things once they can hold their head and sit independently. If your baby's rockers and swing gear are still in perfect condition, sell it to another family. If this isn't an option for you, donate it or disassemble it and sort it for recycling

Other items that we accept for resale include diaper bags, travel gear such as playards, sleep essentials and more.

Wrapping Up

You may be left with a pile of baby gear your toddler has outgrown or no longer needs. Donating, reusing discarding, and selling non-recyclable baby gear will play a great part in protecting Mother Earth, yourself, and future generations.