Millions of pleated filters are thrown away each year, and thousands of trees are cut down to produce the cardboard that makes up the outer frame of disposable filters. The EnviroGREEN™ 8 Pleat reusable, washable pleated filter means you will no longer need to throw another filter into your local land fill for at least 5 years. Patent pending washable V-Clean Core also has the advantage of containing antimicrobial elements embedded into the filtration media. The anodized aluminum frame is non-corrosive and is designed for easy , 'no tools' access to the reusable V-Clean Filter Media.