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Get Involved: Where to Recycle Water Filters

by 52 Comments

When you swap expensive bottled water for water filters, you reduce your environmental footprint and save money.

Water treatment with filtration systems, such as whole-house water filters or refrigerator filters, require replaceable filters. These filter cartridges can last 6-12 months, but what do you do when you’re done using the filter? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward process for recycling water filters.

If you want to reduce your environmental impact by recycling your water filter, the information below can help.

recycle water filters and help the enviroment

Some filter manufacturers have recycling initiatives that offer discounts on future water filter purchases or credits toward charity.

When shipping used filters, always dry them out for 3 days, wrap them in a plastic bag, and ship them in the appropriate container. Some programs have rules about how many filters must be sent back at a time.

Remember, your local recycling center may not accept plastics. Don’t put used filters or other #5 plastics in bins if they can not be processed locally. If possible, save filters and other plastics for as long as possible and use one of the below programs, or take a short trip to the closest recycling center that accepts #5 plastics. The more you take in a car, the fewer trips and less pollution.

Recycling Filters

By Country

Recycling Water Filters in the United States

If you live in the United States, Earth911.com is a great resource for finding out if your local recycling facility accepts water filters.

  1. Locate: First, you’ll need to find the closest recycling facility to your home. Earth911 can help you quickly find a nearby recycling center.
  2. Contact: Once you’ve identified your local recycling location, you’ll want to ensure they accept the materials you want to recycle. If you use Earth911.com and your search does not return results, this may mean the facility does not accept water filters. You can also see if your local recycling plant has a website with information about what materials it accepts, or you can call them.
  3. Confirmation: If you cannot confirm if your local recycling center takes water filters, it is safe to assume that you cannot recycle locally.

How to dispose of water filters in Canada

  1. Look Local: Find your local recycling facility or public works department for the most up-to-date information.
  2. Other Resources: London Drugs Green Deal Recycling has great information about what types of things you can recycle and where.
  3. Confirmation: If you cannot find information about recycling water filters locally, you will likely have to find an alternative.

By Brand

Brita Recycling Program

Brita has partnered with TerraCycle to process and reuse 97% of pitchers, dispensers, bottles, faucet systems, filters, packaging, and material through their free recycling program.

There is a waitlist for the Free Brita Recycling Program through Terracycle.

When you are added to the program, for every 2 pounds of Brita products you collect, you receive 50 points that can be redeemed towards a charitable gift to the non-profit organization of your choice.

Waste-accept-BritaWhirlpool Recycling Program

The Refresh and Recycle Program for Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filters is no longer active.

 

ZeroWater Recycling Program

ZeroWater encourages customers to reduce their carbon footprint by completing their recycling form and returning at least 2 Zero Water filters. In exchange for paying UPS shipping, you will receive a coupon code for ZeroWater.com. You can learn more about the ZeroWater Recycling Program here.

If you want to find recycling information for the specific brand of filter you use, we recommend visiting the manufacturer’s website or contacting them directly.

 

The Reality of Recycling

Water filtration is a great way to lessen your carbon footprint and save money. However, finding out how to recycle your filter can become a hassle. That’s why we’re here to help! If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to comment on this blog, call our Customer Care Team at 866-438-3458, or email us at [email protected].

We do our best to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, so you may also want to check out Where and How to Recycle Water Filters!

About the Author

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brandon says

    Hello Herbert, thanks for commenting! To answer your question, we recommend contacting EveryDrop to find out if they have a recycling program. Their customer support should be able to give you insight. If they do not have a program, you can recycle locally by contacting the nearest center and seeing if they accept water filters. Hope that helps. Take care!

  5. Katie says

    Mary,

    Thank you so much for sharing this information that you came across! It is such a great opportunity in a modern world.

  6. Mary says

    I’ve also read in Zerowater reviews that they provide a recycling program for their customers. It’s a great opportunity in modern world.

  7. Katie says

    Hi Gloria,

    We are so happy to hear that you are pleased with your ZeroWater pitcher and that you are drinking more water because of it. On our homepage you can scroll to the bottom of the screen and type your email in to join our mailing list. If you would like us to add you to our email list, please give us your approval by commenting back with your email address and we will add you.

    Thanks!

  8. Gloria Cole says

    I am very pleased with the ZeroWater pitcher.. I have the one with handle and spigot. So handy for me to fill and now drinking more water. Purchased at Bed Bath And Beyond.. Want to be on your mailing list and tried to join, please help me do this. Thank you..

  9. Katie says

    Joyce,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. New and unused refrigerator filters do not have an expiration date. We recommend keeping the filters dry during storage.

    Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept
    plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  10. Joyce Cesario says

    I received a replacement water filter for my LG refrigerator. The date on the plastic container is Jan., 2019. Please let me know if this is still effective? Also, I would like to recycle the old filter. Please advise with instructions. Going forward I hope your replacement filters are up to date or I will use another supplier. I have signed up for Auto Replacement. Thank you.

  11. Katie says

    Dan,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We found that the WHED20 is largely made of plastic. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  12. Dan Koenemann says

    We have a WHED20 UnderaEase Undersink Filtration system for drinking water installed in our house. What is the most environmentally sound way of disposing of the old filter canisters?

  13. Katie says

    A.D.,

    Thanks for your comment. In the case that Meg does not see your comment, we recommend reaching out to Zerowater to confirm the intention regarding the program.

  14. A.D. says

    Am I misunderstanding, or does Meg’s comment on 9-19-2019 not make any sense?? She seems to say that participating in ZeroWater’s recycling program gives her enough money via coupons to buy more filters than she sent back. But then she says she’ll never break even? Could Meg please clarify? Thanks.

  16. Hailey R. Boland says

    Zero water recycling program is not economical, it costs more to send them back than what your going to get from it. It’s cheaper to toss them and buy new. They are not cost effective but they are good.

  17. Katie says

    Meg,

    Thank you for sharing. If you find the shipping costs to be prohibitive, but would still like to recycle the filters, please seek a local recycling center. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  18. Meg Baldwin says

    I have 17 Zero Water filters and can’t afford to send them all back. I budget my money very carefully so I can afford the water at all. So if I pay all that postage to send them back I’ll get enough coupons to get way more than 17 filters. The first time I used their recycling program I got 2 coupons for sending 4 used filters. I bought 2 of the 6 packs. So the used filters are piling up and there’s no way I’ll ever come close to breaking even. Back to drinking the city water. Yuck!

  20. SYBL yankey says

    You can no longer recycle water filters at the whirlpool site! Check it out. your information is no longer correct.

  21. Katie says

    Allie,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We are sorry to say that we do not see another Brita affiliated program in Canada. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  22. Allie says

    I’ve tried to sign up for Terra Cycle’s Brita Filter recycling program but it’s been saying the program is full and there is a waiting list. I’ve been checking back every few months for the past year. The filters are starting to pile up. Does anyone know an alternative in Ontario?

  23. Katie says

    Beth,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. That filter is encapsulated meaning it is not intended to be taken apart. Normally this is not a prerequisite for recycling.
    Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  24. Beth Conkin says

    How do you open a Frigidaire PureSource Ultra water filter to get the filter material out before sending in the plastic shell?

  25. Katie says

    Theresa,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  29. Katie says

    Simon,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Carbon is biodegradable. Some people have used that in composting. The plastic portion would require additional consideration. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. I would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  30. Simon Mason says

    We use a water filter that is essentially a lump of charcoal (wrapped in plastic mesh). Do you have a suggestion of how to deal with this lump of charcoal?

  31. Katie says

    Rick,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. The only reference we see to Whole Foods filter recycling is a blog from 2009 referring to the Gimme 5 program. That is specific to #5 plastics.

    Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  33. Katie says

    Phil,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We are sorry to say that we do not reference for any filter recycling programs in Israel. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm whether your filter is accepted. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without the triangle. Others will accept all plastics.

  35. Katie says

    Hi Jaye,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Unfortunately, that is correct.

    See the information below for a possible alternative:

    Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. I would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  36. Katie says

    Will,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  38. Will says

    Anyone knows if iSpring water filter can be recycled? It s a big whole house filtration system and I don t think my normal recycle bin will accept it…

  40. Katie says

    Peggy,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it; others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  42. Katie says

    Hi Yvonne,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. We are sorry to say that we do not have an alternative program to refer to. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  43. Katie says

    Hi Joellen,

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Most filters are not usually marked with the recycling triangle. Some recycling companies will not accept plastics without it. Others will accept all plastics. We would recommend checking with your local recycling center to confirm.

  45. Julie says

    Just spoke with GE. They don’t recycle their water filter (although looks like they used to based on the internet posts). I was told to take to local recycling.

  46. Kory says

    Hello Robert,

    The manufacturer of your fridge should be able to assist you in local recycle program information.

  47. Kory says

    Hello Karen,

    The manufacturer of your refrigerator should be able to tell you local recycling places that accept your filter.

  50. Elisha Choice says

    Hey Eric, thank you for this information… Still having trouble here in the Sacramento CA area… The one Whole Foods Market that shows as being part of the Preserve Gimme 5 Recycling Program no longer accepts them because the Gimme 5 Program would never pick up the items…

    What a shame!!

    Any other news, ideas, or contacts about recycling programs would be more than fantastic!

  52. Hank Rapp says

    Why not engage Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart to act as recycling agents for filters? Afterall, they sell them.

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