The answer to this question is yes, air filters can be recycled, but the process is not as simple as throwing the filter into the recycle bin. The frame of a filter consists of recyclable material, but the filter itself can be made up of several types of material, such as fiberglass, wire mesh, paper and plastic. Non-recyclable materials in an air filter can contaminate a batch of recyclable materials and complicate the process. A typical disposable HVAC filter is made with woven fibers, most commonly polyester or fiberglass, that are not recyclable.
When it comes to dealing with air filters, it is important to consider your health. These filters can expose you to dust, dirt, and even potentially harmful chemicals. Most cities don't accept them as recycling, but instead have to throw them away. Oven filters and air conditioning filters are on the “do not recycle” list in most cases, along with televisions and other appliances.
However, there are special entities that can recycle electronic devices in a safe and environmentally friendly way, and there are also paths you can take to recycle used air filters. In general, air filters are not recyclable due to the woven fibers they are made of, which are often fiberglass or polyester. These materials have proven to be difficult to recycle. Many recycling stations often remove them from the list of their recyclable materials.
Due to allergens, dust and other materials trapped by the oven filter, they cannot be recycled in the recycle bin. When disposing of the air filter, keep in mind that different cities have different guidelines for disposing of your oven filter. Be sure to check your city guidelines before throwing out your oven filter. In Minneapolis, oven filters can be thrown away in your home trash.
There are some HVAC manufacturers and air filter suppliers that accept old air filters in the mail, so be sure to check them to see if they have a positive impact on the environment.When it comes to washing air filters, you need to understand that there is more than one type of air filter. An HVAC professional should be able to offer advice based on the type and brand of filter you are using, as well as the construction of your filter and the materials it contains. A dusty cooling coil prevents much-needed heat transfer and leads to an HVAC system that endures a lot of additional wear and tear during normal operation. If you don't remove air filters carefully, you could spread dirt and toxic debris to other areas of your home or office, which could be harmful to your health. To avoid unnecessary waste, homeowners and businesses are attracted to the idea of recycling these dirty filters. The first and foremost 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 particles that are easily carried by the air, you should be careful when shaking them when you want to put them in a plastic bag. Most of this dirt and debris can be disassembled quite easily, especially if you shake the air filter or hit it against something. In addition to visible dirt and debris, you may also be releasing a number of microscopic particles into the air, such as mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and other things that could have been trapped in the filter until then.
