How to Recycle Your Inline Type Filter

How to Recycle Your Inline Type Filter

These cartridges are made from Polypropylene (PP ie PP5).

If you throw it in the bin the PP will go into landfill where it will take about 20 to 30 years to decompose. So please recycle it.

Many (but not all) UK councils* will accept PP5 in the standard recycling / collection bin.

PP is a recyclable thermoplastic polymer widely used in many different products. eg Soup / yogurt pots, margarine tubs, sauce bottles and drinking straws. (PP's resin identification code is “5” ie it’s a “Number 5 Plastic”. You'll see the relevant number inside the triangle recycling logo stamped on plastic).

What to do:

The plastic casing is recyclable - ie you could put it in your recycling bin

But the carbon powder / media inside isn't recyclable ... and putting the whole cartridge in your recycling bin might confuse your recycling centre.

If you can, you could saw or crack open the casing and empty out the media... (It's not that hard to do. But you'd need to do it carefully ie don't injure yourself!)

The carbon can be composted or broken up and scattered onto soil. Crush it up and mix it into compost or soil - it also works very well in pot plants.

It will increase soil aeration, and water retention. Or you could put it in the bin where it might do some good in the landfill. (Here are some other possible uses for used water filter carbon)

Tip: To make it easier for the recyclers try to peel off the stickers…

and save the cartridges up until there are 3 or more to recycle. Tie / elastic band them together so they go as a group.

What we’re doing

We’re working on a reusable plastic casing. They already exist but are not consumer friendly.

Please let us know if you’re interested in getting one

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*More About Councils

Checkout Other things you can do with used water filter carbon

Go back to Main page about recycling water filters