Can you throw away refrigerator water filters?

Author: Gretchen Goodwin V  |  Last update: Saturday, March 29, 2025

Answer: Water filter recycling varies by municipality. Refer to the local recycling facility for specific information on items accepted for recycling. While not recommended, it is safe to throw water filters in the trash.

What do I do with an old fridge filter?

One site to consider for recycling your water filter is https://www.recyclewaterfilters.com/. If it turns out that your refrigerator manufacturer does not have it's own filter recycling program, you can still make the effort to have the plastic components of the old water filter recycled locally.

How to dispose of old water filters?

Check Local Options

There might be local options for hard-to-recycle items like water filters. Call your own curbside recycler, local recycling center, or your department of public works.

How do I dispose of a whirlpool refrigerator filter?

Recycling mailers are easy to use and can be purchased at g2 revolution's second life® store at g2rev.com for use in the continental U.S. The program will recycle used water filters from any of Whirlpool Corporation's U.S. brands and also accepts used refrigerator water filters of any other brand or manufacturer.

What can you do with old water filters?

Composting. If it's in compressed “carbon block” form, like one of our USC2000 filters, crush it up and mix it into compost or soil - it also works very well in pot plants. The carbon won't just sit in the soil passively but will positively add to it by increasing aeration, and water retention.

Do Refrigerator Water Filters Work? We Tested the Water

Are old filters recyclable?

Some pleated filters can be recycled, especially if they are made from recyclable plastics or materials that can be processed in recycling facilities. However, it's essential to check with your local recycling program to determine whether they accept pleated filters.

What do you do with a water filter?

Filters remove both good and bad substances from your water. For example, some filters remove beneficial chemicals like chlorine, which kills germs in water, or fluoride, which prevents cavities. If your tap water is already free from harmful germs and chemicals, you may not want to filter it.

Are refrigerator air filters recyclable?

Remember: HEPA filters can be recycled, pleated cotton or fabric filters can be reused, carbon and aluminum filters can be disposed of in your regular trash. Now that you know what to do with your old air filters, you can rest easy knowing that you are doing your part to help the environment.

Is it OK to remove water filter from refrigerator?

Yes, many refrigerators are designed to run even if their water filter is not installed. However, running the system after removing the filter is not advised. Drinking unfiltered water can harm your health and make you sick.

Can you throw out Brita filters?

Do not put in the mixed recycling bins. Put in the Garbage or check out the TERRACYCLE mail-in recycling program. Brita® has teamed up with TerraCycle® to bring you a national recycling solution for Brita® filters, pitchers, dispensers, bottles, faucet systems, and packaging.

What can I do with old filter cartridges?

However, if you use a BRITA branded water filter you can recycle used filters in collection boxes at most Sainsbury's, Robert Dyas and Tesco stores, as well as many other large retailers and independent stores. Some collection boxes will accept any brand of water filter, check in your local area for more information.

How do you dispose of clearly filtered filters?

Our filters are made of recyclable materials and may be placed in a recycling bin.

What happens to old water filters?

Depending on your filter type, after 2 months, 6 months or 6 years, your filter could be covered in bacteria, rendering it unable to perform up to optimal spec, and turning it into a petri dish for all other contaminants to thrive, and those very contaminants that you tried to prevent from entering your house will be ...

Where to dispose of a refrigerator water filter?

It may be that there is a local recycling center at which you can simply drop off your water filter. Do not assume that if your curbside recycling does not accept them that no one will. Do a quick search for your area. If you do not find what you need, just call the recycling service.

How to properly dispose of water filters?

You can check with your local recycling center to see if they accept water filters. Or, you can contact the manufacturer of your water filter to see if they have a recycling program. In most cases, water filters are usable one time and there's very little to be done to recycle them.

Is it safe to drink water from fridge with old filter?

Health Risks: Drinking from an old filter can expose individuals to harmful chemicals and heavy metals that the filter was initially designed to remove. This can lead to health issues, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Is it really necessary to change your refrigerator water filter every 6 months?

It doesn't seem to cause any issues. It may surprise you, but the answer is yes, if the refrigerator or any appliance has a filter, it needs to be replaced according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Can refrigerator filters be cleaned and reused?

As refrigerator water filters are not meant to be cleaned and therefore cannot be cleaned thoroughly, continuing to use an old fridge filter may result in bacteria growth on your fridge filter over time, as well as build-up and scale in your refrigerator systems that can cause long-term damage.

What happens if you never change your refrigerator water filter?

If you neglect to change your refrigerator's water filter, it will become clogged with these substances and fail to do its job, causing these harmful microbes to get into your water. From E. coli to fecal coliform, your health can be impacted. Invest in a new home water filtration system today.

Are Whirlpool refrigerator filters recyclable?

The program will recycle used water filters from any of Whirlpool's US brands (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air & Amana) and also accepts used refrigerator water filters of any other brand or manufacturer.

Are Frigidaire filters recyclable?

There are no special recycling company for water filters currently, because it is not economical. The filter shell is PP 5 which can be recycled, and the filter media inside is activated carbon. All the materials are safe and harmless. Please throw the filter cartridges as regular waste.

How do you dispose of old air filters?

First, you need to find out if your filter is disposable or not. If it is, then you can simply throw it away in the garbage. However, if it is not disposable, then you need to clean it and reuse it. To clean a reusable HVAC filter, simply remove it from the unit and rinse it off with warm water.

Are GE refrigerator water filters recyclable?

Now GE can help you take that one step further by recycling your old GE water filters and you won't have to spend an extra dime, or haul anything to a recycling center. The program is designed to recycle 100 percent of the refrigerator water filter. The plastic part of the product is “pelletized” and re-used.

Should you drink tap water or filtered water?

Filtered water is generally cleaner to drink than tap water. However, that is not to say that tap water is unsafe to drink. Generally, tap water is safe to drink, but not all tap water is created equal.

Are water filters reusable?

Water filters are not meant to last forever, especially the water filters we use in our homes. However, instead of replacing it each time its efficiency decreases, you can also clean and reuse water filters.

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