The answer to this question is yes, air filters can be recycled, but the process is not as simple as throwing the filter in the recycling bin. The frame of a filter is made of recyclable material, but the filter itself can consist of several types of material. These materials range from fiberglass, wire mesh, paper and plastic. The non-recyclable materials in an air filter can contaminate a batch of recyclable materials and complicate the process. Air filters should generally be placed in the trash, rather than recycled.
Although some of the material is recyclable (such as the paper box on the outside), the filter collects all kinds of containment elements to keep them out of the lungs, so they are garbage instead of being recycled. Although it may seem recyclable, all those particles it has accumulated while it was in use make it unsafe to recycle it. The filter has completed its task of keeping it healthy and must now be discarded. So can air filters be recycled? If you're referring strictly to city or county recycling policies, the answer is almost always no. Oven and air conditioning filters are on the “do not recycle” list in most cases, along with televisions and other electronic devices.
However, just as there are special entities that can recycle electronic devices in a safe and environmentally friendly way, there are also ways to recycle used air filters. Can a household air filter really be recycled? The answer is that it depends on the type of filter your air conditioner has. Most households use the disposable type made with woven fibers, such as fiberglass or polyester, which cannot be recycled. Disposable filters do their job by trapping dust, dirt, and other small particles that can be harmful to a person's health. But once they get dirty, it's not possible to simply wash and reuse them once again.
It's not healthy or safe to use them again. Air filters are generally not recyclable. This may not sound like what you want to hear, but it's the true position. But then why is that so? Air filters, especially disposable ones, are a product of woven fibers, which are often fiberglass or polyesters. These materials have proven difficult to recycle.
Many recycling stations often remove them from the list of their recyclable materials. Air filters contain fiberglass that cannot be recycled. If you take all these steps, you will ensure that you properly dispose of your air filters without causing any danger to health or the environment. The MERV ratings, or Minimum Efficiency Report Value, will tell you what types of particles an HVAC air filter may block. The first and most important thing to do with your old HVAC air filter is to contain it to trap all the dust and dirt. Because what air filters contain are easily airborne particles, you should be careful when shaking them when you want to put them in a plastic bag.
However, once you change your air filter, your old oven air filter can return dirt and debris to the air in your home, which could lower indoor air quality. If you're a person who maintains your HVAC unit according to the manufacturer's instructions, you're accumulating between four and twelve used HVAC air filters per year. An HVAC professional should be able to offer advice based on the type and brand of the filter you are using, as well as the construction of the filter and the materials it contains. If you prefer not to go to the trouble of recycling your air filter (we understand that), learn how to dispose of the filter properly safely and efficiently. Changing filters every three months, while it may seem like a waste, is the best practice to ensure an efficient system and protect air quality throughout your home or business. These filters have been used for months to keep unwanted contaminants out of the air in your home or building. One precaution is to have air filters because if you want to get the most out of them, you should change them every three months.
Keep a plastic bag ready when you are going to change your air filter and immediately place the old filter in this bag when you remove it from the boiler or intake vent. So, the next time you find out that you've collected a lot of air filters in your home and offices, don't think about putting them in the recycle bin.
