## Common ground
All options are filters used for brewing coffee or tea, differing only in material.
## Options at a glance
**3924.10 – Plastic**
- **Defining trait:** Made from synthetic polymer, often reusable and heat-resistant.
- **Typical examples:** Disposable plastic cone filters, reusable mesh filters.
- **Best fit when:** You need durability, reusability, or non-porous filtration.
**4805.40,4823.20 – Paper or paperboard**
- **Defining trait:** Single-use, biodegradable, and commonly used in drip coffee makers.
- **Typical examples:** Coffee filter papers, tea bags (paper-based).
- **Best fit when:** You want low cost, disposability, or minimal flavor transfer.
**6307.90 – Textile**
- **Defining trait:** Made from fabric (e.g., cotton or mesh), reusable and washable.
- **Typical examples:** Cloth coffee filters, reusable tea infusers.
- **Best fit when:** You prefer eco-friendly, long-term use and natural materials.
**7323.9X – Iron or steel**
- **Defining trait:** Metal construction, highly durable, often used in French presses or percolators.
- **Typical examples:** Stainless steel mesh filters, metal coffee plungers.
- **Best fit when:** You need extreme durability and frequent reuse.
**7615.10 – Aluminium**
- **Defining trait:** Lightweight, conductive, often used in single-use or disposable filters.
- **Typical examples:** Aluminum foil-lined tea filters, some disposable coffee cones.
- **Best fit when:** You need lightweight, low-cost, temporary filtration.
## Key differences
| Material | Reusable? | Biodegradable? | Common Use Case |
|----------------|-----------|----------------|--------------------------|
| Plastic | Yes | No | Reusable cone filters |
| Paper | No | Yes | Drip coffee, tea bags |
| Textile | Yes | Yes (if natural) | Cloth filters, infusers |
| Iron/Steel | Yes | No | French press, percolator |
| Aluminium | Rarely | Partially | Disposable or temporary |
## How to choose
- Is it meant to be reused multiple times? → Plastic, Textile, Iron/Steel
- Is it disposable and biodegradable? → Paper
- Is it made of metal (especially stainless steel)? → Iron/Steel
- Is it lightweight and often single-use? → Aluminium
- Does it feel like fabric or mesh? → Textile
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A reusable metal filter may also be aluminum or steel—check material type.
- Plastic and textile filters can both be reusable, but plastic is less eco-friendly.
- Paper filters are often mistaken for being “natural” (they are, but not always recyclable).
- No priority rule given—choose based on the product’s **main function**: reuse vs. disposal vs. material sustainability