A recycling initiative that aims to keep children safe while improving the environment has struck a chord with those in the Greater Wellington region.
The SeatSmart programme, which encourages members of the public to bring in old or damaged child car seats for recycling, has been active in the region since April with more than 300 seats collected and sent for recycling so far.
The programme is supported by the Department of Corrections community work programme as offenders dismantle the seats.
Jayne Stevens from Corrections says it’s a terrific indoor project for our community work team when the Wellington weather prevents us from working outdoors.
At least 40,000 child car restraints reach their expiry date each year in New Zealand. Most end up in a landfill, despite around 90 percent of typical seat materials being recyclable.
SeatSmart is well supported by Greater Wellington region councils including Kāpiti Council, which has a collection site at the Otaihanga Resource Recovery Facility.
