What to Do With Old Fridge Water Filters After Replacement?

Every six months, millions of homeowners pull out an old water filter from their refrigerator and snap in a new one. That moment often comes with a pause: what to do with old fridge water filters after replacement? Most of us never think twice and toss them in the trash, but those used cartridges are more than just plastic, they have absorbed chlorine, lead, and other impurities over months of use. Throwing them away without a plan wastes materials and misses opportunities to recycle or repurpose.

In this guide, we will explain exactly how to handle old fridge filters the smart way. You will learn why replacement is necessary, the best disposal and recycling options, and how making the right choice can protect both your family’s health and the environment.

Why You Need to Replace Fridge Filters Regularly

Before diving into what to do with old filters, it helps to understand why you replace them in the first place.

Over time, filters lose effectiveness because:

• Carbon pores clog up with contaminants like chlorine, lead, and VOCs.

• Water flow slows down as the filter becomes blocked with sediment.

• Bacteria can grow in an expired filter.

• Taste and odor return, making water unpleasant.

Industry standards recommend changing your refrigerator water filter every 300 gallons or every 6 months, whichever comes first. Once replaced, that old filter is no longer useful for safe drinking water, which raises the next question: what should you do with it?

What to Do With Old Fridge Water Filters After Replacement

1. Manufacturer Recycling Programs

Some refrigerator brands and filter manufacturers offer recycling programs. You send back your old filter, and they handle the materials properly.

• Check the manufacturer’s website for recycling instructions.

• Some companies provide prepaid shipping labels.

• Materials like plastic casings and carbon can often be recycled or repurposed.

2. Local Recycling Centers

Even if your refrigerator brand does not offer a program, your local recycling facility might accept old filters. Call your municipal waste office and ask about:

• Small appliance recycling drop-offs

• Household hazardous waste collection events

• Mail-in recycling partnerships

3. Mail-In Recycling Services

Third-party recycling services specialize in hard-to-recycle items like fridge filters. You mail in your used filters, and they separate materials for proper processing. Some services may charge a small fee, but it is a responsible way to avoid the landfill.

4. Creative Reuse Around the Home

Although expired filters should not be used for drinking water, some homeowners get creative with reusing them. After carefully removing the carbon block, the plastic housing may be repurposed for:

• DIY crafts or garden projects

• Storage containers for small items

• Educational demos for kids on how water filters work

Note: This should only be done if the filter has been properly cleaned and is never used again for drinking water.

5. Last Resort: Throwing It Away

If none of the above options are available, your last resort is to dispose of the filter in your household trash. It is safe but not environmentally ideal, since filters contain plastic and carbon that will sit in landfills.

Why Recycling Old Fridge Filters Matters

Recycling fridge filters is about more than just reducing clutter. It has real environmental and community benefits.

• Reduces landfill waste: Millions of filters are thrown away each year, adding unnecessary plastic waste.

• Conserves resources: Plastic casings and carbon media can sometimes be reused in other products.

• Protects the environment: Proper disposal ensures contaminants trapped in the filter do not leach into soil or water.

By taking the extra step to recycle, you help protect the environment and promote sustainability.

What Fridge Filters Contain

To understand why disposal matters, it helps to know what is inside your refrigerator water filter:

• Plastic housing: Durable casing that holds everything together.

• Activated carbon block: Absorbs chlorine, lead, VOCs, and other impurities.

• Filter media: Layers designed to catch sediment and particles.

Once the carbon is saturated, it cannot effectively capture more contaminants. That is why reusing an old filter for drinking water is never safe.

Can You Clean and Reuse Old Fridge Filters?

Some online videos claim you can “hack” your filter by cleaning or refilling it. However, experts warn against this.

• Cleaning does not unclog the microscopic pores in the carbon.

• Refilling filters is unreliable and may not restore certification standards.

• Reusing an expired filter risks exposing your family to bacteria and contaminants.

The safest solution is always to replace it with a new, certified filter.

Bottled Water vs Fridge Filters: Why Disposal Still Makes Filters the Smarter Choice

You might wonder if bottled water avoids the filter disposal problem altogether. While that is true, bottled water creates a different and much larger waste issue.

• Cost: Bottled water can cost 10 times more per gallon than filtered water.

• Waste: Billions of single-use plastic bottles end up in landfills and oceans every year.

• Quality: In the U.S., some bottled water is just repackaged tap water.

Even though you replace fridge filters twice a year, they still generate far less plastic waste than buying bottled water for your household.

Special Considerations for Water Quality

When thinking about old filters, it is important to remember what they do and do not remove:

• Chlorine: Standard fridge filters reduce chlorine taste and odor.

• Chloramine: Not removed by standard carbon filters. Removing chloramine requires Catalytic Activated Carbon (CAC).

• PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics: Most fridge filters cannot remove these. Consider pairing with reverse osmosis or whole-house systems if these are concerns in your area.

Knowing your water quality helps you choose the right filter in the first place and ensures safe disposal after replacement.

Choosing the Right Filter for Your Refrigerator

Here are three excellent replacement options you can trust.

LT600P LG Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement by Tier1 (5231JA2006B)

• Compatible with LG refrigerators that use LT600P, also listed as 5231JA2006B.
  

• Great for reducing chlorine taste and odor. Check the product page for any lead or VOC reduction claims and certifications.
  

• Replace every 6 months or at the rated capacity.
  

Whirlpool 8171413 and 8171414 Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement by Tier1

• Designed for Whirlpool models that specify 8171413 or 8171414.
  

• Independently tested by the manufacturer to meet applicable standards. Reliable taste and odor improvement. See the listing for any NSF details.
  

• Replace every 6 months or at the rated capacity.
  

LT600P LG Comparable Refrigerator Water Filter by USWF (5231JA2006A)

• Fits LG models that use the LT600P style, also listed as 5231JA2006A.
  

• Best for chlorine and taste reduction. Budget friendly option that still focuses on performance. Review the page for NSF or specific contaminant claims such as lead or VOCs.
  

• Replace every 6 months or at the rated capacity.

Why Certification Matters

Always look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards. These certifications verify:

• NSF 42: Chlorine, taste, and odor reduction.

• NSF 53: Reduction of contaminants like lead, asbestos, and VOCs.

Several independent organizations, including IAPMO, CSA, and WQA, test filters to ensure they meet NSF/ANSI standards.

A Note on Counterfeit Filters

Be wary of ultra-cheap filters from international discount sites. Many are counterfeit, with no guarantee of what is inside or how well they filter. Only buy from trusted retailers like fridgefilters.com.

Replacement Cadence

Replace every 300 gallons or every 6 months, whichever comes first.

How to Build a Filter Replacement and Disposal Routine

To make life easier, create a simple routine for managing your filters:

1. Mark your calendar: Set reminders every six months.

2. Order in advance: Keep a spare filter on hand so you are never stuck with expired water.

3. Recycle responsibly: Use manufacturer programs or local recycling options.

4. Store used filters safely: Keep old filters sealed until you can recycle or dispose of them.

This routine ensures you always have safe drinking water and minimizes waste.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly what to do with old fridge water filters after replacement. The best choice is to recycle them through manufacturer programs, local facilities, or mail-in services. If recycling is not an option, disposing of them in household trash is acceptable, though less ideal. Never try to reuse an old filter for drinking water, since it cannot return to its original performance. By replacing your filter every six months and handling the old one responsibly, you save money, cut down on waste, and keep your family supplied with safe, great-tasting water.