Good use for "spent" RO membranes?

[DLHDesign]

Does anyone know of a good use for spent RO membranes?
As reefers, we expect our membranes to be pretty exacting (98-99% rejection) and when they start to slip from this, we consider them spent and replace them - often just throwing out (or ideally, recycling) the old membrane(s).

But it's not like they are no longer useful for water filtration. For anyone looking for anything less than 98% rejection - developing countries or other such areas with water problems, say - they may still be of use. I searched around some, but couldn't find anyone that is attempting to make use of used RO membranes for any kind of humanitarian efforts.

Totally willing to accept that it's not viable, but figured it's worth asking.

 

[Brew12]

Does anyone know of a good use for spent RO membranes?
As reefers, we expect our membranes to be pretty exacting (98-99% rejection) and when they start to slip from this, we consider them spent and replace them - often just throwing out (or ideally, recycling) the old membrane(s).

But it's not like they are no longer useful for water filtration. For anyone looking for anything less than 98% rejection - developing countries or other such areas with water problems, say - they may still be of use. I searched around some, but couldn't find anyone that is attempting to make use of used RO membranes for any kind of humanitarian efforts.

Totally willing to accept that it's not viable, but figured it's worth asking.

I use mine to fill that empty spot in the bottom of my garbage bag.

I am pretty sure that a membrane works until it doesn't. When they stop working it means that there is a hole in the filter allowing impurities to pass through.

 

[sundog101]

I think PaulB uses part of it to make his mandarin feeder