How to Properly Dispose of Your Old Water Filter Cartridge

Replacing your water filter cartridge every 6–12 months is essential for clean water — but what do you do with the old one? Here’s a practical guide to responsible disposal in Australia.

Browse our replacement cartridge range or see our guide: Water Filter Maintenance Tips.

What’s Inside a Water Filter Cartridge?

An 8-stage KDF cartridge contains several different materials:

• Ceramic shell — can be broken up and added to garden soil or compost
• Activated carbon — can be composted or added to garden beds as a soil amendment
• KDF media (copper-zinc alloy) — dispose of in general waste; not suitable for home recycling
• Mineral stones (maifan stone, far infrared balls) — can be added to garden soil
• Plastic housing — check with your local council for hard plastics recycling

Step-by-Step Disposal

1. Remove the cartridge from the bottle and allow it to dry for 24–48 hours.
2. Disassemble if possible — separate the ceramic, carbon, and plastic components.
3. Compost or garden: ceramic and carbon components can go into compost or garden beds.
4. Plastic housing: check your local council’s hard plastics recycling program. If not accepted, dispose of in general waste.

When to Replace

Replace every 6–12 months, or sooner if you notice a returning chlorine taste, reduced flow, or visible sediment. Don’t push past 12 months — an exhausted filter provides no protection and can harbour bacteria. Browse our replacement cartridge range.

Frequently Asked Questions