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Want your water filter cartridge to go back where it came from?

08.25.2008

Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 12:36am.
The Bite:
No can do. Since using a water filter (instead of plastic water bottles) is eco-forward-thinking, it probably sounds a little, um, backward, but you can't currently recycle your H2O filter cartridges (think Brita or Pur). Ask the manufacturers to pretty please change direction, and take back their filters for recycling.

Nov. 18, 2008: SUCCESS. Thanks in no small part to the flood of letters generated by you Biters when this tip originally ran, today Brita announced a recycling program set to begin Jan. 2009. Next step: Getting Pur to take back their filters too - see a sample letter in this blog.
The Benefits: 
  • A waste about-face. If every American started using filters instead of disposable bottles, we'd save a lotta plastic - but we'd still send 167 million filter cartridges to landfills each year.
  • Moving proper chem disposal forward. Toxins, such as chlorine and lead, collect in your cartridge as you use it to filter the water. A proper disposal system will prevent these from leaching into the earth.
  • Letting off some steam. Sound off for a good cause.
Personally Speaking: 
A bunch of us have Pur brand filters - and since there's no campaign for them yet, we decided to start our own. Check out our letter to the manufacturer in the blog.
Wanna Try: 
  • Take Back the Filter - campaign to urge Brita to take back its plastic filter cartridges. Sign the petition here.
  • Instructables - extreme DIYers: find out how to refill your old Brita cartridges yourself.
  • Brita UK - Europe's already there: UK Biters can enter their postcode to find a drop spot for recycling.
Beth Terry

Cocktail Fact

Myth-buster: Water does not go down drains and toilets in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Bang For The Bite

They're already doing it in Europe - why not here? Sending manufacturers the message takes just a few minutes, and if enough of us do it, they're bound to listen up.

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Jeanne  on July 28, 2009 at 05:33 AM 1
Now that you have had success with Brita, let's start a similar campaign with the refrigerator manufacturers such as Whirlpool. I have asked periodically about options for recycling their water filter cartridges and they have no program. I've just ordered a filter and inquired again about their plans for initiaing a recyclyn program. I have been on the phone, on hold for 10 minutes. It turns out Pur manufactures their filters!
Anonymous  on August 31, 2009 at 03:14 AM 2
Time for some bottle therapy. It used to be practically a requirement for the eco-conscious urbanite to lug water in reusable hard-plastic bottles, but it turns out those bottles can leach toxins. Choose lined aluminum, stainless steel, or glass instead. Online highschool AND homeschool
Anonymous  on August 31, 2009 at 03:14 AM 3
Health-consciousness. Polycarbonate plastic used in bottles by Nalgene and other companies leaches bisphenol-A, which is linked to birth defects, miscarriage, and prostate cancer. masters degree business AND get diploma AND High school diploma online
MikeYoung  on September 03, 2009 at 10:46 PM 4
Now that you have had success with Brita, let's start a similar campaign with the refrigerator manufacturers such as Whirlpool. wimbledon live scores-- live cricket score--- live score board--- live score service--- basketball live score--- live scoring--- hockey live scores
Sharon  on October 02, 2009 at 07:08 PM 5
If every American started using filters instead of disposable bottles, we'd save a lotta plastic - but we'd still send 167 million filter cartridges to landfills each year. promotional codes | coupon codes are more important than ever to people trying to save money on their shopping online.Such as Asda discount vouchers | Tesco Discount Codes | Argos Discount Vouchers | Comet Discount Vouchers all the UK retailers seem to be gearing up to offer us big discounts, offers and incentives to get on and shop. Diapers Coupons|Newegg Coupons and Musicians Friend Coupons and Kohls Coupons and Sears Coupons A minute or two online can save you big money.
liz  on October 29, 2009 at 12:12 AM 6
Thats really great that you actually got to some success in getting the company to take back the filters. I can only imagine how many are being made and dumped every day. We need to get eco minded, or face serious environmental challenges. loans for people with very bad credit
lowcostholidays voucher codes  on October 30, 2009 at 05:35 PM 7
I have unused water filter cartridge. Where should I sell it? Is it really worth to sell it? Or I just have to give up on selling it? lowcostholidays voucher codes
online games  on November 12, 2009 at 05:18 AM 8
Now that you have had success with Brita, let's start a similar campaign with the refrigerator manufacturers such as Whirlpool. I have asked periodically about options for recycling their water filter cartridges and they have no program.
aertan  on November 12, 2009 at 05:20 AM 9
ime for some bottle therapy. It used to be practically a requirement for the eco-conscious urbanite to lug water in reusable hard-plastic bottles, but it turns out those bottles can leach toxins. games adventure games
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