Porirua City Council is again calling on residents to dispose of expired or damaged child car seats and boosters, as part of a recycling drive running through November.
The initiative, led by council road safety coordinator Paulette Pavelich, is a partnership with Seat Smart, a national car seat recycling programme. Residents can drop off unwanted car seats at Trash Palace, located just before the Spicer Landfill entrance, from 1 to 30 November.
Pavelich said many people don’t realise car seats have an expiry date of five to ten years from manufacture, and regular use weakens their effectiveness.
“The straps get weak over time and the plastic in the base and back of seats can develop cracks that undermine the effectiveness and strength, so it’s important they’re replaced,” she said.
Last year, more than 160 seats were collected in Porirua through the same scheme.
“The success we had with the collection scheme in 2025 makes it a no-brainer to do this again,” Pavelich said.
The council is also encouraging parents and caregivers to attend its final public car seat check of the year, scheduled for 4 December from 1–2 pm at the carpark next to Onepoto Park on Main Road, Titahi Bay.
For more details, residents can contact Paulette Pavelich at [email protected].
