Dear Recyclebank,
The HVAC in our house requires air filters. They do not seem recyclable, except maybe the cardboard frame we can tear off. Any greener alternatives? Saving money would be an added plus. I would not mind the trouble of washing and reusing a filter, so long as it is safe and effective in the HVAC.
-E.
Dear E.,
Professionals advise changing your HVAC air filter at least every 3 months, so if you’re following their advice, you’re dealing with dirty, dusty filters several times a year. A sustainable option would be keeping these filters out of a landfill.
The most common disposable HVAC filters are made out of woven fibers, typically polyester or fiberglass, and sometimes paper. The recyclability of these materials outside of an HVAC filter is hit-or-miss. Polyester fiber, in the form of clothing, is recycled to a limited degree. Fiberglass is not recyclable. Of course, paper is recyclable, and the cardboard frame is recyclable. But regardless of the materials within, we don’t advise close handling of that dirty filter, even in the name of the environment. It’s full of the dust and particles that you wanted to avoid exposure to in the first place! The safest route is to carefully place it in the trash, cardboard frame intact.
Reusable filters, such as those from WEB, are actually an available greener alternative. Their performance is on par or slightly better than the cheap disposable options, but at about ten times the cost. They could save money in the long run since they can last for several years, and reuse could save a dozen of unrecyclable filters from ending up in a landfill. If you don’t mind taking the trouble to wash them, and if you take precautions to avoid exposure to the dust, reusable filters could be right for you. Just make sure you let them completely dry before putting them back into your system, to avoid mold or bacteria growth.
SOURCES
ENERGY STAR
Angie’s List
Airpurifierguide.org
