I started using these a couple of months ago and so far have a great experience with them. They are on the thin side and don't seem to trap as much brown gunk as the much thicker felt socks. They are very easy to change and I consider the waste low since the ring holds the thin filter material which is the only part that is disposed of.
This being said I believe these are made from the same poly material that conventional felt socks are. Conventional filter socks do wear out, require a lot of water to clean, and have a much larger mass when they must be disposed of. I purchased poorly made socks that went in to the garbage prematurely because they sucked. In the end there will always be waste. It would probably take ten of these socks to equal the mass of a conventional sock plus no plastic ring to dispose of.
With these socks I have don't have to worry about possibly contaminating my tank with chemicals that could remain in my washer (diesel mechanic by trade). Cheap conventional socks tend to "pill" in the wash leaving fluff balls to clog my pumps. Look forward to a possible different material in the future but unless you consider standard felt socks to be immortal I don't see this being more wasteful.
This being said I believe these are made from the same poly material that conventional felt socks are. Conventional filter socks do wear out, require a lot of water to clean, and have a much larger mass when they must be disposed of. I purchased poorly made socks that went in to the garbage prematurely because they sucked. In the end there will always be waste. It would probably take ten of these socks to equal the mass of a conventional sock plus no plastic ring to dispose of.
With these socks I have don't have to worry about possibly contaminating my tank with chemicals that could remain in my washer (diesel mechanic by trade). Cheap conventional socks tend to "pill" in the wash leaving fluff balls to clog my pumps. Look forward to a possible different material in the future but unless you consider standard felt socks to be immortal I don't see this being more wasteful.