Plastic Free Water Filters: Can We Find Water Purifiers without Plastic?
Water purification is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of our drinking water. This article delves into various water filtration options, to help you choose a plastic-free water filter that meets your needs. By understanding the different types of filters and their benefits, you can make informed decisions to improve your health and reduce your exposure to microplastics and fight single-use plastic pollution.
Why Water Filtration and Tap Water are Important?
Water filtration is crucial for ensuring access to safe drinking water by removing contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, and microplastics. The quality of tap water varies significantly depending on your location, and even seemingly clean water can harbor impurities that pose health risks. Using a water filter can enhance the taste, odor, and safety of your drinking water, offering peace of mind and better health outcomes.
Additionally, filtering your water at home eliminates the need for bottled water, which is often transported long distances and contributes to plastic waste. Bottled waters have been also found to contain microplastic particles. Water filtration helps you minimize your environmental footprint while enjoying fresh, clean water and living a healthy life.
The Impact of Microplastics & Plastic Pollution on Water Quality
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to water quality. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic waste smaller than 5 mm or from synthetic fibers, have been found in tap water, plastic water bottles, and even in the food chain. These particles can absorb harmful chemicals, potentially causing health issues when ingested over long periods of time.
By choosing a plastic-free water filter, you help reduce the demand for plastic products and you lower your microplastic exposure risks. The choice to purify your water, therefore, benefits your health and our environment.
What Different Types of Water Filters are there?
There are several types of water filters available, each designed to tackle specific contaminants and suit different needs. The main two types are pitcher filters and faucet filters. In this article, we’ll explore both.
1) Pitcher Filter
Convenient and affordable, these filters use activated carbon to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and impurities and are used in jugs. Brands like Brita and Berkey are popular choices.
2) Faucet Filters
Faucet filters attach directly to your faucet for on-demand filtration. These are effective for reducing chlorine, lead, and other contaminants. There are two main types:
- Countertop Filters (also called Benchtop Filters): Larger units that sit on your counter and connect to your faucet. They offer robust filtration capabilities and are ideal for households with high water usage. They are are also ideal for rental properties or for households unwilling to hard-plumb into the mains water line.
- Reverse Osmosis Systems: These advanced systems are usually installed under the sink and use a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants, including fluoride and PFAS. They are highly effective but can be more expensive and require more maintenance. Furthermore, according to the US EPA some RO systems use 5+ gallons of water (i.e. rejected water) for every one gallon of water produced. Some inefficient units will go further to generate up to 10 gallons of reject water for every gallon of permeate produced.
Related: The Pros and Cons of Water Filters: What to Consider for an Eco-friendly Lifestyle?
7 Plastic Free Water Filters (or Nearly) for a Non-Toxic Hydration
We scouted the world for some of the best water filtration systems on the market and highlighted their features at a glance. It’s hardly impossible to find a 100% plastic-free water filter, so we put together the best tap water filters we could find for a life without plastic or nearly! See who made our list here below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put into researching products and solutions to plastic/ microplastic pollution.
1. Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Stainless Steel Countertop Water Filter System
Berkley has been one of the pioneers in water filtration. Their origins go back to 19th century England where epidemic diseases such as cholera and typhoid were spreading, also due to water contamination. The “Royal Doulton” products – as authorized to be named by the Royal family for the person who invented them – were ceramic water filters that have been perfectioned over time until the Black Berkey Elements were launched in 2023. The advantage of a gravity-fed system is that it doesn’t require any electricity, tools, or costing installations i.e. plumbing. It is made and/or assembled in the USA.
Size: available in 7 different sizes, even a travel size.
Longevity: Berkey filters need to be replaced after 6,000 gallons of use.
Filtered Contaminants & Tech: The Berkey water filter cartridges remove or dramatically reduce over 250+ typical contaminants that could be present in freshwater sources. This is possible thanks to an advanced technology that allows for unique adsorption and absorption properties.
Removes Microplastics? Yes & No. No claim can be made by the manufacturer since no actual testing of plastic fibers has been conducted. However, their in-house product test results show that the elements can remove or reduce contaminants down to a scale of 24-26 nanometers (024 to .026 microns), which is smaller than many plastic fragments found in water.
Removes Fluoride? Yes, however, you need to buy optional additional filters called PF-2 filters™, which a part from fuoride, also absorb arsenic V, pre-oxidised Arsenic III, and other residual heavy metal ions.
Removes Gen X & PFAS? Yes, 100% according to a test by EWG.
Check out Berkey on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
2. Aarke Purifier Glass Water Pitcher with Refillable Stainless Steel Filter
Finally, a glass and stainless steel pitcher with a stylish and innovative patented design that leaves no plastic in contact with the water. A bit disappointing though that the lid has still some (BPA free) plastic.
The handle in the 5 cup design is made of glass, while in the 7 cup design is made with recycled, certified Ocean Bound Plastic and stainless steel. A detachable silicone bumper is included to help protect the glass carafe from bumps and scratches. All parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher (making sure to remove the granules first!) making it a very hygienic solution.
Size: available as a 5 cups or 7 cups pitcher.
Longevity: the filter granules are reusable for 8 weeks and refillable.
Filtered Contaminants: it reduces limescale, chlorine, and heavy metals (lead and copper), while the enriched filter refill granules also add magnesium minerals, turning tap water into alkaline water through an increased pH value.
Removes Microplastics? No
Removes Fluoride? No
Removes Gen X & PFAS? Herbicides, pesticides and PFAS may be reduced by the activated carbon in the granules. However, the manufacturer can not generally define how much these substances may be reduced as it depends on the condirion of the inlet water source.
Check out Aarke on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
3. Binchotan aka Japanese Activated Carbon Water Filters
Binchotan is a very affordable and zero-waste carbon filter. The name comes from Japanese and simply means “charcoal”. It’s a pure charcoal traditionally used in Japanese cooking because it’s long burning and odorless. That is my own image of the charcoal in a glass dispenser with lemon grass to make the water tasty!
Size: available in all sizes & shapes for different liquid capacities.
Longevity: usually 3 months, plus another 3 months after boiling the sticks. Yes, you can boil the sticks for 10 minutes to recharge them for another few months and when they reach end of life, you can compost them in your garden. I keep mine in a glass pitcher with a lid (see my photo below).
Filtered Contaminants & Tech: the technology works by adsorption. The electrically charged ions stick to the surface of the activated charcoal and are no longer suspended in the water, therefore removing unwanted molecules.
Removes Microplastics? No
Removes Fluoride? No
Removes Gen X & PFAS? No
Check out binchotan sticks on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
If you’re in Australia, please support by purchasing the products from these Aussie retailers: Biome and Biocasa.
Related: 10 Benefits of Drinking Tap Water vs Bottled Water
4. Gravity Ceramic Stoneware Water Filters
Image credit: Smythcidpottery on Etsy
These large ceramic urns are usually handmade by artisans or made in small-batch production and are hard to find nowadays. Inside they have carbon ceramic water filter systems, also called ceramic filter candles.
Size: available in different sizes & shapes for different liquid capacities.
Longevity: it depends on the filter used. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
Filtered Contaminants & Tech: it depends on the filter used.
Removes Microplastics? It depends on the ceramic filter used. The Doulton Super Sterasyl filters remove particles down to 0.5 microns. To put half a micron in perspective, a human red blood cell is about 5 microns in diameter and a human hair is approximately 75 microns in diameter, while many bacteria are about 1 micron across. For these reasons, it should be effective at removing synthetic particles above this measurement.
Removes Fluoride? Yes, but only if you purchase a specific fluoride filter.
Removes Gen X & PFAS? It depends on the type of filter, some may reduce PFAS.
Check out ceramic water purifiers on Etsy
If you’re in Australia, please support by purchasing the products from these Aussie retailer: Biome
Related: Use a Home Water Purifier or Test the Water?
5. Invigorated Water pH Replenish Alkaline Water Filter Glass Pitcher
We have chosen pH Replenish Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher because it’s made with premium quality curved glass and a stainless steel filter with no plastic! The alkaline filter comes in a pouch.
Size: 1.8 liter for the jug, but they have different sizes in stores.
Longevity: the pouch lasts up to 400L/105 gal of water.
Filtered Contaminants & Tech: alkaline. It removes pollutants, fluoride & chlorine, and heavy metals, while keeping minerals & increasing pH up to pH10.
Removes Microplastics? Not mentioned on their website.
Removes Fluoride? Yes.
Removes Gen X & PFAS? Not stated on their website.
Check out Invigorated Water on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
6. Glacier Fresh Compostable Water Filter Replacements for Brita® Water Pitchers and Dispensers
Glacier Fresh is a US based manufacturer of pitchers, gravity water / refrigeration & RV filters.
In March 2024 they launched the world’s first eco-friendly filter made of plant-derived compostable plastic and activated carbon, combating millions of wasted plastic from standard PP (Polypropylene) filters. The filter’s plastic turns into CO2 and water, disappearing in just 180 days in industrial composting conditions.
Check out Glacier Fresh on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
Visit the Glacier Fresh website.
7. LifeStraw Glass Pitcher Water Filters
LifeStraw water filters are the only water filter pitcher that removes bacteria and parasites, in addition to microplastics according to the manufacturer. It reduces lead, mercury, and chemicals including PFAS (“forever chemicals”), chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, dirt, sand, and cloudiness. Retains essential minerals like magnesium and potassium that are good for your health.
The original jug was made with BPA-free plastic, but in recent years they listened to the feedback of the consumers and made one of handblown borosilicate glass, with a detachable anti-slip silicone base. However, please note the lid & the removable filter housing are still plastic.
Size: 7-cup only (the bigger sizes are made with BPA-free plastic)
Longevity: The membrane microfilter lasts 264 gallons (1 year). The activated carbon + ion exchange filter lasts 40 gallons (roughly for 2 months).
Filtered Contaminants & Tech: dual filtration technology.
Removes Microplastics? Yes.
Removes Fluoride? No, unless you purchase a specific fluoride filter.
Removes Gen X & PFAS? The manufacturer states that the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher and LifeStraw Home Water Filter Dispenser reduce PFAS and meet the NSF P473 standard for reducing PFOA and PFOS from water.
Check out LifeStraw on Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia.
Frequently Bought Together: Water Filter Accessories
When purchasing a water filter, you may also need additional accessories to optimize its use:
– Replacement Filters: Ensure you have spare filters on hand to maintain water quality without interruption.
– Water Testing Kits: Regularly test your water to monitor its quality and identify any new contaminants.
– Filter Cartridges: For systems like reverse osmosis, having extra cartridges can help maintain the system’s efficiency.
These accessories are frequently bought together with water filters to provide a comprehensive water filtration solution.
Maintaining Your Water Filter
Proper maintenance is key to ensuring your water filter performs effectively:
– Regular Cleaning: Clean pitcher filters and dispensers according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent buildup of impurities.
– Filter Replacement: Replace filters as recommended, typically every few months, to maintain optimal filtration.
– System Checks: For complex systems like reverse osmosis, periodically check all components for wear and replace parts as needed.
Maintaining your water filter ensures you continue to enjoy safe, clean water without compromise.
Conclusion: Either You’re Using a Filter or Your Body is a Filter!
Choosing a water filter that minimizes plastic use not only improves your health by providing clean, contaminant-free drinking water but also contributes to reducing plastic pollution. By opting for sustainable filtration solutions, you embrace a lifestyle that prioritizes environmental stewardship and personal well-being.
By trying to scout for plastic free water filters, you can enjoy the benefits of clean, safe drinking water that is healthier for you and the planet.
