Do you throw out old Brita filters?

Author: Daphnee Howell  |  Last update: Sunday, April 6, 2025

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 do I do with my old Brita filter?

You just have to let the filter dry, wrap it in a plastic bag, and then either drop it off at designated recycling bins (locations listed here: http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5locations.html) or mail it in a box to Preserve Gimme 5, 823 NYS Rte 13, Cortland, NY 13045.

When should I throw out my Brita filter?

Pitcher filters should be changed out every 3-4 months. If you leave filters in for any longer, you're introducing bacteria into what you're drinking. Tap would be better for you at that point.

Do you throw away old water filters?

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.

How do I dispose of Brita filters near me?

Drop your package off at a UPS to ship it to TerraCycle.

UPS will ship the filter to TerraCycle to have it recycled. You can find a UPS store near you by using their store locator tool at https://www.theupsstore.com/tools/find-a-store.

The PROBLEM With Brita Filters

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.

Are Brita water cartridges recyclable?

Since then the programme has grown and BRITA now recycles around 4 million cartridges each year. Once each MAXTRA cartridge is exhausted, it can be returned to one of over 1900 recycling points across the UK. Find out where your nearest in-store collection point is using our stockist locator tool.

How do you dispose of clearly filtered filters?

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

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.

Do you throw away old air filters?

Put Your Old Filter into a Plastic Bag. The most important thing to do first is to trap the old HVAC filter in a plastic trash bag. Wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling any debris. When changing your air filter, have a plastic trash bag at the ready.

How can you tell if Brita filter is bad?

A green blinking light indicates that the filter is good. A yellow light indicates the filter should be replaced soon, while a red light blinking indicates the filter should be replaced. Filter performance is not certified after 40 gallons.

Is it OK to leave water in Brita?

How long can I store water in my Brita® pitcher? Store your Brita® pitcher in a cool, dim place. Don't keep your Brita in bright sunlight, as it can cause algae to grow. Keep your Brita in the refrigerator if you plan to be away for longer than a couple of days.

How long can water sit in a Brita?

What is the best way to store BRITA filtered water? Store your BRITA filtered water in a cool place, such as the fridge. Also, protect your BRITA product from direct sunlight to avoid algae and consume the filtered water within one day.

Is it safe to use an old Brita filter?

What Are the Risks of Using an Old Water Filter? Bacterial Growth: Old water filters can become a breeding ground for bacteria. When a filter reaches its capacity, it not only stops filtering effectively but can also start leeching trapped bacteria and minerals back into the water.

Do Brita filters really need to be replaced?

Brita recommends changing its water filters every 2–6 months, depending on the type of dispenser or pitcher. In most cases, this will mean that people can filter 40–120 gallons of water before a new filter is necessary.

What happens if you keep using an old water filter?

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 ...

What to do with old Brita filters?

Brita filters cannot be recycled by Recology. However, Brita has a partnership to recycle its products with TerraCycle. Sign up to receive a free shipping label and send old Brita filters to be recycled.

Can you throw away old water filters?

In most cases, water filters are usable one time and there's very little to be done to recycle them. Aside from the plastic that some of them have, water filters often have natural materials that will not harm the environment, so they are safe to throw away.

Can filters be washed and reused?

Not every filter can be reused; HEPA filters and soft, pleated filters usually cannot be reused based on their design. If the material is made with something like fiberglass, it is pointless to reuse the filter, because of how it traps particles. The truth is, the more powerful air filters are usually disposable ones.

How long does a clearly filtered water pitcher filter last?

Our filter's performance results are to 100 gallons, so we recommend replacement after 100 gallons of use. People drink water at different rates, so they reach the 100 gallon mark at different times.

Does Home Depot recycle plastic?

Customer Recycling Services

The Home Depot takes back rechargeable batteries, CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) and plastic bags. You can find a recycling bin with directions for dropping off these materials near the entrance of your local Home Depot store.

Does clearly filtered filter out arsenic?

Get Proven Protection With Clearly Filtered

Powered by 6 unique filtration medias, our advanced Affinity Filtration Technology protects you from up to 365+ harmful tap water contaminants—including arsenic—without targeting healthy minerals.

What happens to Brita water filters?

For BRITA household water filters the same recycling process applies: The filters are collected locally and transported to our recycling facility in Germany. On our website www.brita.net/recycling you can find information on how the recycling process works in detail.

What is a challenge to recycling Brita replacement filters?

The materials inside a BRITA filter are not routinely recycled. BRITA filters aren't straightforward to recycle because they don't contain everyday materials. The filters are composed of several proprietary materials that are layered for efficient tap water filtration.

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