How are BRITA MAXTRA+ cartridges recycled?

Every step matters to optimize the recycling of BRITA cartridges

As you may have already read in our article on 5 good reasons to use a BRITA jug, BRITA filters are 100% recycled or reused.

But how can we be sure that they are recycled and/or reused?

CONTENTS

The MAXTRA+ cartridge recycling process
a. Activated charcoal in BRITA cartridges
b. The ion exchanger in BRITA cartridges
c. The plastic shell of BRITA cartridges
What is the customer's role in BRITA cartridge recycling?

1. The MAXTRA+ cartridge recycling process

MAXTRA+ cartridges have a service life of approximately 1 month. After this period they should be replaced with a new one. Each part of the cartridge has its own recycling method. There is the activated charcoal, the ion exchanger and the white plastic shell. Each of these parts is detailed below.

a. Activated charcoal in BRITA cartridges

The activated charcoal (black grains) in the filter cartridges is 100% natural, in fact it is carbonised coconut.

It is useful for reducing chlorine and heavy metals in the water, but obviously has a limited life span.

This limited lifetime means that the porous cavities of the coal are completely blocked by the pollutants.

To understand this mechanism, please read our blog " how does binchotan activated charcoal purify water? ».

At this point, the efficiency of the filter decreases and it is time to change it.

Activated charcoal, when it arrives at the recycling centre, can still be used for a long time, so it goes into the wastewater treatment circuit (settling tank, wastewater treatment plant, etc.) to be reused.

b. The ion exchanger in BRITA cartridges

The ion exchanger (white grains) is a synthetic molecule (chemically manufactured in the laboratory) that reduces the presence of limescale in our water.

At the end of the BRITA cartridge's life, the ion exchangers are purified and returned to the factory to become part of a new cartridge.

c. The plastic shell of BRITA cartridges

The biggest question you might ask is whether the white plastic shell of the cartridges is also recycled?

Well, we asked our BRITA supplier and they confirmed it. It is recycled.

The plastic is melted and remoulded for use as a plastic material in garden furniture or Playmobils.

This plastic is never reused twice in the food cycle for health reasons.

2. What is the customer's role in BRITA cartridge recycling?

To ensure that your BRITA cartridges are recycled it is important to return them to the collection points that you can find on the BRITA website and not to put them in your own rubbish bin.

These cartridges are collected free of charge by the supplier itself when your shop next places an order with its supplier.

They are then collected in one go by BRITA with the next delivery to the supplier.

The cartridges are finally processed in Germany, BRITA's home country.