What Happens After the Gear Breaks? An Earth Day Reflection on Babywearing and Waste

On Earth Day—and really, every day—it’s worth pausing to consider what happens to all the stuff we buy when its useful life ends. Especially when that stuff is related to parenting and raising babies.

Every piece of baby gear has an environmental and human cost. That includes the big-ticket items like cribs and strollers—and yes, even the more minimalistic gear like baby carriers.

Sometimes these items are passed on. Sometimes they’re donated. But often? They end up damaged, abandoned, and ultimately landfill-bound like the strollers pictured above. They weren't designed to be repaired or recycled. And that’s where the conversation about registries should start.

What If That Was You?

Imagine this: you're out on a walk with your baby. The stroller suddenly breaks—a wheel pops off, the frame collapses, or a handle gives out. You’ve got a diaper bag, your purse, maybe a coffee, possibly some groceries, and a blanket stuffed underneath. And now you’re trying to hold a baby on one hip while managing it all.

It’s not a pretty situation.

And every time I pass a broken stroller on the sidewalk, I think: I hope they had a baby carrier tucked in their basket.

Reframing the Registry: Sustainability Starts with Intentional Choices

When my clients are in the 'research phase' of their registry hunting, I often share this broken-stroller story and pictures with them. When you're discussing baby gear, especially while you're building their registry, these seeds for thought can be eye-opening. All the 'best of' lists, the targeting ads, and the affiliate links make you feel like you need all that stuff! But...do you?

Open your discussion with engaging and thought-provoking questions.

What would you do if you were in this situation? (Take the broken stroller story or something similar.)  Look at the registry list and consider: 

• Do you really need all the gear—or could a curated set meet your needs better?

• Can some of these items be sourced secondhand or rented?

• Are you supporting companies that design with sustainability in mind?

• How long will you need that piece of gear? And what happens when you're done with your gear?

• Given the broken-stroller story, could a baby carrier be your backup—or even your first choice? 

These are questions worth asking—on Earth Day and beyond.

Before You Buy: Think Secondhand, Think Rental, Think Try Before You Buy

Before buying new baby gear, consider all the excellent secondhand options. From online swaps to local parenting groups to specialty consignment shops, you’ll find everything from baby clothes to bassinets to high-end carriers—often gently used and deeply discounted.

Some baby gear can even be rented. For short-term needs—like travel, postpartum recovery, or testing a specific product—rental can be a perfect fit.

And when it comes to baby carriers, trying before you buy is one of the most sustainable steps you can take. It reduces the chance of buying something that ends up unused, and ensures you find carriers that fit your body and your lifestyle.

🔗 Need help buying secondhand? Check out our guide on how to choose a secondhand baby carrier.

The Hidden Impact of Baby Gear

Every baby product travels a long, resource-heavy path from idea to manufacturing to delivery to end-of-life disposal. Baby carriers are no exception—but when you compare them to things like bouncy seats, swings, and high-tech bassinets, carriers often come out as a more sustainable option.

Still, there’s a wide range in carrier design, materials, and longevity. That’s why we encourage families to:

• Choose baby carriers made with natural or recycled fabrics (like organic cotton, linen, or hemp).

• Avoid excessive polyester, webbing, padding, or plastic parts.

• Select well-made carriers designed to last through multiple children.

• Invest in a small collection of carriers that can cover a wide range of needs.

• And most importantly—try before you buy whenever possible - your local babywearing educator can help you with that and likely has a class primarily geared for this purpose!

Why We Care: Sustainability Is Personal 

My colleague Bianca and I have woven sustainability into our lives and our work for 20+ years now. From co-founding an eco-conscious baby store to gently challenging the norms of the toy and gear industry (looking at you, M&D), we’ve made it a point to spotlight baby brands working toward cleaner, kinder production practices.

We’ve learned that sustainability conversations don’t have to be doom-and-gloom. They can be thoughtful, surprising, and even fun. And when it comes to babywearing? They can be empowering.

A Lighter Load—for Parents and the Planet

When you realize how babywearing reduces the need for bulky and excessive gear—not eliminate it entirely, but simplify it—you’re embarking on a new path forward. One that’s easier to carry, literally and figuratively.

While it’s unreasonable to expect the baby carriers you use with your kids to work for your grandkids, the fabric can be repurposed, or the carrier taken apart and the parts recycled. Of course, you might be able to resell or donate your carriers, but if you make a sustainable choice from the get-go, you’re already making an impact.