Greening your Baby Gear
Posted by lindseyshoe
What to do with all that baby stuff when you just don’t have a “baby” anymore. Consider these options that save green and go green, but find out what you should know before you go.
As much as we parents may hate to admit it, the day will come when out babies just aren’t babies anymore. Since our children go so quickly if your house is anything like mine, then they outgrow all that baby gear, toys, bedding and clothing leaving them in almost new condition and many parents wondering what to do when their baby stuff just doesn’t fit their “baby” anymore. Consider these options that are greener for the environment and can save you and another parent a whole lot of green.
Greening your Baby Gear: Garage/Community/Rummage Sale
Wash and price tag your baby items and post those signs. Hold your own sale. Better yet join in with a community or church sale, where you may lose a little of the profits but you will probably also get rid of many more items. I even posted to several mother’s groups an “indoor” garage sale where they could visit me between 10-1 on a certain day have some coffee and donuts visit with each other and buy the baby items they needed. At the end of the day, I profited, and so did the environment.
Greening your Baby Gear: Let’s go shopping – to sell your stuff
Make sure your items are clean and contact the local consignment shops to find out what baby items, clothing and gear they are accepting before you load everything up in your car, drive over there, and unload them only to find out that they aren’t taking winter clothing. Consignment shops also work in two different ways; some accept your items and pay you when they sell, others pay you upfront for the items giving you cash in hand. Not bad for a day’s work.
Greening your Baby Gear: Go online to make a dime
I have been quite successful at using Craigslist for selling many of my outgrown baby gear, toys, and clothing. Everything from the bassinet to the bouncy seat was able to make me a few dollars and make sure they don’t go into a landfill. Others use E-bay or other online sale services.
Greening your Baby Gear: Get by with a little help from your “friends”
Tell your friends, neighbors, or even post it on Facebook. A friend of mine was getting rid of her home daycare equipment and posted the sale on Facebook. Just imagine the responses from friends and family she got. A friend told a friend who told a friend who – well you get the idea. Friends saved money, she saved the environment.
Greening your Baby Gear: Take advantage of Trade in Events
Several times a year, Babies/Toys R Us holds a Trade in Event sale. You bring in your gently used car seats, stroller, travel system, high chair, play yard, bassinet, crib or toddler bed (from participating brand names) and get 25% off new. This means if you need to purchase a new item for your family or a friend, you can save some money and the environment.
According to Toy “R” Us, the event’s main concern is specific baby products and car seats that are not fit to be handed down or resold. This comes after safety experts announced that the sales of used products are on the rise, and consumers should be aware of the risks of second-hand items like these. (Source Earth911.com)
The most recent Trade in Event is from 1-29-2010 to 2-20-2010. Your discount is valid only on the day of trade in. Manufacturers participating in the “Great Trade-In” event include Baby Cache, Babi Italia, Baby Trend, Bertini, Britax, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Nature’s Purest by Summer Infant, Safety 1st and Sorelle.
Greening your Baby Gear: Don’t hesitate to donate
Daycares, charities, women’s shelters, children’s services and even the police department can be a way to green up your baby gear. Police and fire departments, as well as pet shelters accept stuffed animals for use when caring for frightened children and animals. Other charities can either resell or provide a family with a much needed baby item from bedding to clothing.
Dangers about going green with your baby gear
Before you try to do what’s best for the environment, be sure to do what’s best and safest for the next child that may get your baby stroller, car seat, crib or toys. Make sure that all your baby gear is in good working condition. Include batteries when necessary if donating. Include warranty information, all parts, and installation and assembly directions. Most importantly check for recalls by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission, expiration dates (bet you didn’t know car seats had expiration dates) and be aware of any rules or laws in your area about the donation or sale of baby items.
It’s great to donate. It’s fine to make a dime. But remember before you go green with your baby gear, toys, and clothing take time to stop at the red light of consumer protection.