After replacing your old Maytag Refrigerator water filter with a new one, you must dispose of the old filter. However, improper disposal of the used Maytag refrigerator water filter is a bad idea!
Improper disposing of used Maytag refrigerator water filters can harm the environment. The plastic used in making the casing and the contaminants trapped in a used filter can pollute the soil and water, causing further problems. Therefore, it becomes crucial to properly dispose of used Maytag refrigerator water filters.
Materials Used to Produce Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters
To understand why you should not improperly dispose of a used Maytag refrigerator water filter, you must know what it’s made of. Here are the materials used in its making:
- Activated carbon
The primary filtering component of the Maytag refrigerator water filter is activated carbon. It is responsible for removing impurities and contaminants from water. It is usually obtained from coal, wood, or coconut shell
- Plastic Casing
The casing of the water filter is made of food-grade plastic. Plastic is favored because it can easily be molded into desired shapes and sizes. However, recycling plastic cases is difficult due to the different polymers in plastics. In addition, some polymers cannot be recycled by traditional recycling methods.
- Metal
The housing or the frame of the filter is usually metallic. They are used for their durability and strength. An additional benefit of using metals is that they can be easily recycled. Recycling centres gladly accept metallic parts for recycling.
The Consequences of Improper Disposal of Used Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters
You must change your old refrigerator water filter regularly to ensure clean drinking water. However, it is equally important to properly dispose of a used Maytag refrigerator water filter with utmost diligence. Here is what happens when you improperly dispose of a used Maytag refrigerator water filter:
Environmental Contamination
Improper disposal of used Maytag refrigerator water filters causes environmental contamination. The plastic casing is non-biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to decompose, causing soil and water pollution. From the filter, impurities like lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals leach into the soil and pollute groundwater.
Health Hazards
Harmful chemicals and contaminants in the used water filters pose serious health hazards. The activated carbon filter absorbs chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals. Improper disposal of used filters can introduce these chemicals back into the environment.
Increased Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that approximately 26% of municipal solid waste is plastic. Plastic from filter casings is a significant addition to this waste. This leads to the greenhouse gas effect and fills up valuable landfill space, among other negative environmental impacts.
Legal Consequences
Strict laws operate in many areas regarding waste management. For example, California does not allow citizens to dispose of electronic waste, including water filters, in regular garbage. Citizens failing to comply with these laws face severe fines or penalties from the government.
Negative Impact On Water Quality
Water pollution due to improper disposal of water filters is a common issue. The plastics and chemicals from filters pollute water bodies, affecting drinking water quality. Therefore, it is crucial that you dispose of your water filters properly.
The Benefits of Recycling Your Used Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters
Now that you know the threats of improper disposal of used Maytag refrigerator water filters, let’s look at the other side. What are the benefits of recycling used Maytag refrigerator water filters?
Resource conservation
By recycling old filters, new material is not used for the new ones. Reclaiming and reusing plastic from discarded filters reduces the need for new resources and thus aids in conserving natural resources. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that recycling a ton of plastic can save enough energy to meet the household needs of two people for an entire year.
Environmental Benefits
Recycling old filters saves the environment from threats caused by virgin plastic production. In addition, recycling decreases energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that by recycling a ton of plastic, you save an equivalent of 1.5 barrels of oil, 5,774 kilowatt-hours of electricity, and 30 cubic yards of landfill space.
Cost Savings
The primary benefit and reason why most products are recycled is cost-effectiveness. Municipalities save money by recycling plastic wastes from used filters by decreasing landfill costs and revenue from selling recycled materials. Recycling is cost-effective for customers too, and healthier for the environment overall!
Are Used Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters Recyclable?
Yes, Maytag refrigerator water filters are recyclable. There are three different parts in a filter that are recycled separately:
- Plastic housing
- Particle filter
- Activated carbon filter
The plastic components in your filter housing are recycled through various processes. The process used to recycle plastic depends on the type of plastic in the housing.
Activated carbon in your filter is easily recycled. An entire industry is dedicated to reusing and reactivating spent carbon. The spent carbon is recycled in a reactivation facility by exposing it to high temperatures to remove the contaminants.
Instructions for Proper Disposal of Used Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters
Now that you know the importance of properly disposing of used water filters, you must wonder how. Here are some ways that you can dispose of your used water filters:
- Check with Your Local Waste Management Guidelines
Study the local waste management agency’s policies in your area. This will give you a fair idea of what you need to do with your old filters. Find out if your local waste management agency has a recycling program or pickup services and drop-off locations available. All you need to do is hand off your water filters to them, and the rest will be taken care of!
- Contact the Manufacturer
Nowadays, manufacturers have started programs to collect their used products from customers and adequately recycle or discard them.
- Donate or Sell the Filter
Another method to ensure that your used refrigerator water filters are disposed of correctly is donating them. There are dedicated organisations for repurposing or upcycling household items. You can also sell your filter online.
- Properly Dispose of The Filter
If the options mentioned above are not viable in your area, you can discard your used refrigerator water filters using designated trash receptacles or recycling bins.
These methods are used by many to ensure proper disposal of used Maytag refrigerator water filters. However, some people don’t want to throw away their used filters. So here are some creative ways to repurpose your used Maytag refrigerator water filters:
Creative Tips for Repurposing Used Maytag Refrigerator Water Filters
Here are some suggestions to help you repurpose your used Maytag refrigerator water filters:
- Art Projects:
The cylindrical casing of the water filter can be used in several art projects. It would be the perfect skeleton for vases, lampshades, or sculptures. The cylindrical bodies of the filter can be used in the garden as plant holders or garden markers.
- DIY Cleaning Supplies:
The plastic casing can also be used to make DIY cleaning supplies. For example, you can fill up the case with activated charcoal to trap dust particles from the air. It can also be used to make a filter for your aquariums.
- Natural Odor Absorbent:
The activated charcoal from your filter can be an effective, natural odor absorber. You can use it in your refrigerator, gym bag, shoe boxes, etc., to eliminate foul odor.
- Crafting:
The plastic can be used for various crafting endeavors, to make jewellery, keychains, or other items. Small containers for storing objects can also be made from them.
Conclusion
Since you’ve read the entire article, you know why it is crucial to properly dispose of your used Maytag refrigerator water filters. To keep the environment safe and ensure the proper disposal of water filters, you need to recycle or discard them properly.
