Water covers 70 per cent of the earth’s surface. It contains a world of invaluable plants and animals essential to human beings. And it’s stunning to look at. But for years now, heaps of rubbish, including many plastic bottles, have been swimming in our oceans. Time for change with BRITA water filters: they contribute to environmental sustainability.
In the carpets of waste on the world’s oceans, many plastic bottles pollute the water alongside plastic bags, lighters and various other plastic items.


Being kind to the planet
Think and act sustainably – to protect lives and resources

Plastic bottles have a lifespan of up to 400 years
The problem: it takes up to 400 years for nature to biodegrade a plastic bottle. First, larger pieces decompose into smaller particles. Later, they invisibly stick to your feet when you walk barefoot across the beach. Whales, dolphins and other inhabitants of our oceans get snared in plastic debris and perish. Coral is destroyed by floating waste, and fish mistake plastic for food and ingest it. This explains how micro plastics end up in our food chain. But the fact remains that plastics have no place in vegetable soup.
Furthermore, when plastic waste in our oceans washes up on beaches, it poses a threat to numerous tourist destinations and deprives local populations of their livelihood. Farmers in costal areas, desalination plants and hydro-electric power stations also suffer from the man-made mess.
The thoughtless use of plastics and irresponsible handling of plastic waste have fatal consequences for oceans worldwide. As consumers, we can actively contribute to the health of our planet by reducing plastic waste. Every little counts!
Caring for the environment with BRITA filtered water
People who enjoy drinking water are quick to reach for plastic water bottles when out and about. They are lighter than glass bottles and typically cost significantly less. By drinking BRITA filtered water instead, you can save money – and help save the environment.
At BRITA, we care deeply about our products’ impact on the environment. So much, in fact, that we had them scientifically tested. The findings revealed that one litre of BRITA filtered water generates up to 27 times less CO2 than one litre of bottled water. Why? Because a BRITA MAXTRA+ filter cartridge can filter many litres of water – water that would otherwise be purchased in a bottle.
Our products generate less waste, use fewer natural resources and save transport costs. In sum, this contributes to a smaller carbon footprint and a healthier planet. For instance, in 2017 alone BRITA filtered water prevented 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. That is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of 150,000 cars!
More ways to reduce plastic waste
- Consider alternatives to plastic for toys, accessories, furniture or home appliances.
- Avoid plastic packaging: products that cost more because they come in non-plastic packaging are a good investment in the planet.
- Don’t use plastic bags if possible and if you do, reuse them.
- Sort rubbish: dispose of plastic waste in the public recycling system (if available).
- Instead of cling film use parchment paper.
- Skip out on disposable products like lighters or razors.
- Repair instead of immediately tossing out.
- Also think about what you give other as gifts.
Protect the environment with BRITA
Calculate by how much you can reduce waste and CO2!
How much water do you drink daily?
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How much waste you generate annually
寶特瓶
MAXTRA+ 濾芯
BRITA MAXTRA+ cartridges help you reduce waste by {{values.kgdifference}} kg each year.
Comparison calculated based on: 1.5L PET bottle (0.035 kg) and MAXTRA+ cartridge (0.149 kg), values rounded, figures from November 2017
How much CO2 you generate annually
寶特瓶
MAXTRA+ 濾芯
BRITA MAXTRA+ cartridges help you reduce CO2 emissions by {{values.co2difference}} kg each year.
Comparison calculated based on: 1.5L PET bottle (0.035 kg) and MAXTRA+ cartridge (0.149 kg), values rounded, figures from November 2017
Help promote substainability ...
-{{values.kgdifference * counterAnimation | round}}公斤
-{{values.co2difference * counterAnimation | round}}公斤
... and protect the environment.
Calculation basis for comparison of equal consumption values, values rounded, figures from November 2017
Recycling: working together for a better future
At BRITA we strive to lower our environmental impact. Recycling cartridges is a great way to reduce resource use and positively affect the environment. Actually, BRITA was the world’s first water filter manufacturer to offer customers a recycling programme, back in 1992. Today, over 50 percent of our professional filters and many MAXTRA+ filter cartridges are recycled in our own recycling plant in Taunusstein and the recovered ion exchange resin is reused in new filter cartridges.
We regularly evaluate the possibility of setting up recycling schemes for individual countries and currently offer them in selected markets. Aligning environmental benefits, economic factors and legislative provisions can be a challenge, but we understand the need to contribute to a better future and always strive to improve.
Carbon footprint

A carbon footprint is an environmental indicator. It reveals the amount of carbon emissions generated by a certain action or product within a specific timeframe. The concept was developed by researchers Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees in 1994 to capture the effects of our behaviour and economic activity on the environment.