Zero Waste Ending Water Filter Drop-Offs November 28

Bainbridge residents must make their final water-filter drop-offs before November 28 at the Zero Waste box outside the Marge Williams Center, 221 Winslow Way West. Collection is ending for every brand, including Brita, because the two recycling arrangements that supported it are coming to an end.

Diane Landry, director of Zero Waste Bainbridge Island, explained in a November 3 email that Brita, one of the companies that makes the filters, is ending its funding for the free TerraCycle collection program. TerraCycle’s own closure notice confirms that the national program ends November 29, 2026, and asks participants to ship by that date. TerraCycle says brand sponsors decide when programs end; the notice does not explain Brita’s reason.

“Our Zero Waste collector just got an email saying Brita is done paying Terracycle to run the collection program,” Landry wrote.

Filters from other brands other than Brita went into an all-in-one TerraCycle recycling box purchased by an anonymous donor. That box is nearing its weight limit, Landry said, and the remaining capacity will be used for office supplies and coffee-related items.

The cutoff also covers Brita pitchers, dispensers, bottles, faucet systems, and packaging. Landry confirmed that final drop-offs should be made before November 28. So far the program is estimated by Landry to have recycled over 500 Brita filters on Bainbridge Island.

Residents looking for other recycling options can buy TerraCycle’s Water Filters Zero Waste Bag for filters of any brand, with prepaid return shipping. It excludes air filters and the devices that use the filters. Landry also recommends checking manufacturers for other mail-in options and postage charges. She said Zero Waste would participate again if a brand funded a free program accepting all brands of water filters.

For other options, residents can search Washington Ecology’s 1-800-RECYCLE database by material and ZIP code, or call 1-800-732-9253 for help finding services. Confirm that a recycler accepts the specific filter before mailing it or making a trip. Ecology’s recycling programs page also points to separate programs for electronics, architectural paint, and mercury-containing lights, but does not list a water-filter-specific take-back program.

Other items have separate collection arrangements. Residents should consult Zero Waste’s current drop-off instructions before leaving anything in the box.