EcoMom Choice: Clek Convertible Carseat

In my eco parenting journey picking out baby gear is one of my biggest struggles.

Stuff = environmental impact.

The environment played a huge role in deciding which carseat I wanted to bring home. And whether your a new mom, or soon-to-be mom, or your on your third kid, I want you to think about the environmental impact of your car seat. I don’t have the numbers, I don’t have the facts. But just think about that plastic, the trash, and the process it took to make it and make a better choice for the environment with your next car seat.

Infant Seat Versus Convertible Car Seat

The environmental answer is obvious: skip the infant seat. The infant car seat (or bucket seat) just becomes trash after its mere 12 months of use. There are few and far recycling programs for car seats, and even fewer models that are made ethically and responsible.

Instead, opt for Convertible Car Seat. It means one less thing to manufacture, one less thing to purchase, one less thing to throw out. For those reasons, I choose a convertible car seat and didn’t even think about a bucket seat.

I cant find the numbers, but think about it. For each kid, they’ll use 2 or 3 car seats during their life. Each of those seats land in the landfill. If you could cut out just one seat, that’s one less thing.

But what about the Infant Seat

What about it? Just because society says that you need one doesn’t mean you do. Just because society says its more convenient doesn’t mean it’s better for our environment. Just because society says you can’t leave the hospital without one, doesn’t mean you do. We left the hospital with our Clek. It was a pain, but it was worth it.

Yes, having a convertible means I have to take my child in and out of the car seat. That just means my child isn’t sleeping for extended times in a bucket. Its not even recommended. It also means that I’m NEVER lugging around a car seat on one arm – Which can’t be good for you back

Choosing Clek

I choose Clek because Clek is manufactured in Canada.

That’s right, baby gear manufactured in North America! It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally it does.

And guess what, I was all over that. Canadian manufacturing means a quality product that is produced and manufactured responsibly. It means less of environmental footprint, and it means supporting ‘local business.’

I also choose Clek because Clek has a recycling program. At the end of your carseats life, they’ll take it back! Amazing, right?!? That means one less thing in our landfills. Clek will break down your seat and ensure that it is disposed of responsibly.  (In my area, there are no car seat recycling programs, but in many areas there are! Be responsible and check it out before taking your seat to the landfill)

For those reasons, I was sold. I couldn’t find any other car seat that was built locally or had a take back program. For more about Clek check out their website at www.clekinc.ca

If you know of another responsibly made seat, let me know. Drop me comment. I’d love to know more.

Other Reasons

They have totally amazing colours and prints.

They are a narrow seat fitting three across.

They can be used from birth with the infant thingy.

They are steel framed.

They support extended rear facing.

They have AMAZING customer service.

Downside

The Clek seat fits perfectly in my Nissan Leaf. It is too big for our Honda Fit. Our long legged passengers can’t sit in the front seat. It’s just not possible.

Therefore, it’s always important to remember to pick a seat for your needs over a seat recommended by others.  If Clek wont work for your car, choose a different convertible car seat and scope out a recycling program. There are a few of them in each province, but they tend to be found in major urban centres.

My favourite sites for Car Seat information

Car seat safety and know how is extremely important. Knowing how to dress your child and buckle them in properly isn’t about creating mommy wars, but about keeping our babies safe and alive. I encourage you to stay in the know and follow some of these reputable car seat tech’s on social media.

Vancouver Island Car Seat Tech – Up to date Canadian information. http://vicarseattechs.com/category/blog/

Car Seat Lady – http://thecarseatlady.com

What factors are important to you in choosing a car seat? How did you pick your seat?