Partnering with a leading climbing gym and fitness center to reduce annual filter waste by 15 tons

26.08.1909

Partnering with a leading climbing gym and fitness center to reduce annual filter waste by 15 tons

THE FILTRATION CHALLENGE AT BOULDERING PROJECT

The Bouldering Project, headquartered in Seattle with 12 locations nationwide, is a nationally recognized indoor bouldering gym where climbing enthusiasts go to climb, train, exercise, and practice yoga. Their facilities are typically located in densely populated urban environments, with high occupancy at peak hours creating a significant amount of chalk dust that must be filtered efficiently and effectively to maintain a safe and pleasant experience for climbers.

At Bouldering Project’s small facilities, the number of filters needed per replacement cycle could be as few as 6 in the RTU for the building. In contrast, larger facilities, like the Springdale gym in Austin, 11 RTU’s continuously run to keep the building cool and over 60 filters keep customers breathing easy with clean air.

Bouldering Project’s filtration challenge is unique in that the volume of particulate they are filtering is massive — enough to be measured in kilograms per day — and the frequency with which they change filters to maintain an enjoyable experience for members is very high — up to 2 times a week in the driest and dustiest times of year.

“Sustainability has three components: Economic, Environmental and Social — This makes sense for us on the Economic side because we’ll see payback in less than 12 months. On the Environmental front, we are removing 15 tons of waste from the landfill every year. And on the social side, we are helping create a better experience for the members of the community that use our space. Ticks all the boxes”

PROBLEM:

Until 2024, the Bouldering Project filtered their air the same as any other company: by purchasing and replacing legacy single-use filters and disposing of them in the landfill. The process racked up sizeable operational expenses as Bouldering Project continuously purchased filters to replace the old ones. In fact, in 2023 Bouldering Project purchased and disposed of over 14,000 filters at an average cost of about $10 per filter, generating about 15 tons of mass to landfill and about $150,000 off their bottom line.

As a company that prides itself as being a responsible participant in the climbing community, Bouldering Project recognized that their large contribution of mass to the landfill was unacceptable. Bouldering Project prides itself on it’s superior gym experience, continuously investing to improve the overall gym experience at their facilities — $150,000 per year is money that would be well spent to better the experience and facilities and provide more community support.

SOLUTION

K&N’s High-Flow Washable Filters are and were the perfect solution to help reduce Bouldering Project’s operational expenses and minimize their impact to the landfill. Starting with a small PILOT of 6 filters, in one air handler at a single facility, K&N was able to demonstrate equal/or better filtration with their washable reusable product.

Bouldering Project facility managers integrated the filter washing process into their existing workflows and the PILOT yielded immediate savings on filter purchases at the facility. The PILOT expanded to a larger facility with consistent results as the pilot scaled and in the spring of 2024 Bouldering Project rolled out K&N Washable HVAC filters to all their facilities nationwide.

The keys to success

Extended filter life and lower maintenance requirements
Durable performance under heavy air and debris loads
Simplified changeout process, freeing up city maintenance teams
Tangible financial and environmental ROI

TRANSFORM YOUR FACILITY

FILTERs FOR YOUR PILOT

Air filtration without hesitation. To demonstrate our confidence, K&N Global Filtration will supply filters to jump start a pilot program in your facility. Inquire below and connect with our Product Specialist for more details on the pilot program and how to get started.

Why Hospitality Leaders Are Rethinking Their HVAC Filter Programs

In hospitality, every detail matters.

Guests notice comfortable temperatures, clean indoor air, quiet spaces, and consistent airflow — even if they never think about the HVAC system making it all possible.

Behind the scenes, however, engineering and facilities teams face a growing challenge: delivering exceptional guest comfort while controlling operating costs and supporting corporate sustainability goals.

As labor costs rise, budgets tighten, and ESG initiatives become more important, many hotels, resorts, casinos, and entertainment venues are beginning to ask an important question:

Is our disposable HVAC filter program still the best long-term solution?

Increasingly, the answer is no.

Guest Comfort Starts Behind the Scenes

Every guest experience depends on building performance.

An HVAC system that delivers consistent airflow helps maintain comfortable guest rooms, inviting lobbies, productive conference spaces, and enjoyable restaurants and entertainment venues.

When filtration restricts airflow or requires frequent replacement, facility teams spend more time reacting to maintenance needs instead of focusing on the overall performance of the property.

Reliable filtration supports consistent HVAC operation, helping properties maintain the indoor environments guests expect throughout their stay.

Hospitality Has Already Proven That Reusable Solutions Work

Not long ago, nearly every hotel bathroom looked the same.

Rows of single-use shampoo bottles, tiny conditioner bottles, miniature soaps, and individually packaged toiletries were considered standard. Every guest room turnover meant replacing partially used products, generating enormous amounts of plastic waste while creating additional labor for housekeeping teams.

Today, that standard has changed.

Walk into almost any major hotel brand, and you’ll find wall-mounted dispensers filled with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap. Those refillable containers have become commonplace across the hospitality industry.

The change wasn’t driven by sustainability alone.

Hotels quickly realized they could reduce purchasing costs, minimize plastic waste, simplify housekeeping operations, decrease inventory management, and maintain a consistent guest experience — all at the same time.

What was once viewed as a small operational change became a large-scale industry transformation.

More importantly, it changed how hospitality leaders think about recurring consumables.

Instead of asking, “What does this item cost to buy?” operators began asking, “Is there a smarter, more sustainable way to manage this over the long term?”

That mindset is now expanding beyond guest amenities.

Forward-thinking hospitality organizations are evaluating every recurring product throughout their facilities to determine where similar improvements can be made.

HVAC Filtration Is Becoming the Next Opportunity

Disposable HVAC filters follow a remarkably similar pattern to the toiletries hospitality has already moved away from.

Facilities purchase them.
Install them.
Remove them.
Throw them away.
Then purchase them all over again.

The cycle repeats several times every year, creating ongoing purchasing costs, maintenance labor, transportation, inventory requirements, and landfill waste.

Just as refillable amenity dispensers replaced millions of single-use plastic bottles, washable HVAC filters replace the constant cycle of disposable filtration.

Rather than throwing filters away every few months, engineering teams simply clean them, reinstall them, and return them to service.

It’s the same operational philosophy hospitality has already embraced throughout guest rooms — reduce waste, simplify operations, and maximize the value of assets already in use.

For many hotels, resorts, and casinos, reusable filtration is becoming the next logical step in that journey.

The Hidden Cost of Disposable Filters

Most hospitality operators know the purchase price of a filter.

Fewer know the true cost of replacing hundreds or even thousands of filters across a property every year.

Each replacement requires:

Sustainability Is Becoming Part of the Guest Experience

Today’s travelers increasingly value businesses that demonstrate environmental responsibility.

Many hotel brands have established ambitious sustainability goals focused on reducing waste, lowering energy consumption, and minimizing environmental impact.

Guests may not see a property’s HVAC system, but they increasingly recognize the choices hotels make to reduce waste — from refillable toiletries and water conservation programs to recycling initiatives and energy-efficient buildings.

Behind-the-scenes infrastructure improvements are becoming just as important as guest-facing sustainability efforts.

Washable, reusable HVAC filters help hospitality organizations extend those sustainability initiatives into the mechanical room by dramatically reducing landfill waste while supporting long-term operational efficiency.

More Efficient Buildings Start with Better Airflow

HVAC systems account for one of the largest energy expenses in most hospitality facilities.

Maintaining efficient airflow is essential for keeping guestrooms comfortable while controlling operating costs.

Filters with lower pressure drop allow HVAC systems to move air more efficiently, reducing unnecessary strain on fans and helping support overall system performance.

When multiplied across dozens or even hundreds of air handling units, improvements in airflow efficiency can contribute to meaningful operational savings over time.

Helping Engineering Teams Do More with Less

Like many industries, hospitality continues to face maintenance staffing challenges.

Engineering teams are expected to support complex facilities while responding quickly to guest needs and minimizing operational disruptions.

Reducing routine maintenance can free valuable time for preventative maintenance and higher-priority building improvements.

Instead of continually replacing disposable filters, reusable filtration allows teams to wash, dry, and reinstall existing filters as part of planned maintenance schedules.

The result is a simpler, more sustainable filtration program that reduces recurring purchasing and waste while helping engineering teams operate more efficiently.

A Long-Term Investment in Operational Excellence

Hospitality leaders are increasingly evaluating building systems based on total lifecycle value rather than initial purchase price alone.

Questions now include:

Can we reduce recurring maintenance costs?
How can we minimize landfill waste?
Are there opportunities to improve HVAC efficiency?
Can we simplify maintenance without sacrificing guest comfort?
How can our facilities contribute to our company’s sustainability goals?

These conversations are reshaping how hospitality organizations approach building operations.

The Future of Hospitality Filtration

The hospitality industry’s transition from single-use toiletries to refillable dispensers demonstrates something much bigger than a sustainability initiative; it reflects a new way of thinking.

When a product is used repeatedly throughout a property’s lifecycle, operators increasingly ask whether it needs to be disposable at all.

That same question is now being applied to HVAC filtration.

Exceptional hospitality isn’t created only in guestrooms or restaurants.

It begins with the systems operating behind the scenes every day.

As hotels, resorts, casinos, and entertainment venues continue investing in operational efficiency and sustainability, HVAC filtration is becoming another opportunity to reduce waste, lower operating costs, and improve long-term building performance.

At K&N Global Filtration, we believe reusable HVAC filters represent the next evolution in hospitality filtration, much like refillable amenity dispensers redefined guest room sustainability.

Sometimes the most meaningful improvements are the ones guests never see, but every property benefits from.

Ready to Act?

Rethink Your Filtration Strategy

Contact K&N Global Filtration to learn how washable, reusable HVAC filters can help reduce waste, improve operational efficiency, and support your property’s sustainability goals.

K&N Washable/Reusable V-Bank Filter Washing Instructions

Maintain peak performance and extend the life of your K&N Washable Filters by following the steps below. This procedure is designed for safe, effective cleaning using only water—no chemicals or detergents are required. Always follow K&N’s recommended service intervals. Regular maintenance helps ensure airflow efficiency and optimal performance of your filtration system.

TOOLS NEEDED

Cold water supply
Pressure regulator set to 40psi
Standard garden hose
Spray nozzle on “full” setting

Riser/Prop for drainage
Timer or stopwatch
Fan for optional gentle airflow during drying

WATCH THE PANEL WASHING INSTRUCTIONS VIDEO

Maintain your K&N V-Bank Filter with ease—watch the video or use the instructions below.

STEP 01 – PREPARE THE AREA

Choose a clean outdoor space with good drainage for runoff water. Ensure water supply is connected through a pressure regulator set to 40psi.

STEP 02 – ADJUST THE PRESSURE & SPRAY SETTINGS

Regulate water pressure to 40psi.
This avoids filter media damage and maintains optimal cleaning effectiveness.
Do not exceed 40psi.
Set the nozzle to the circular “full” setting.
This produces a soft, circular spray ideal for even cleaning.
Avoid jet, stream, or pinpoint settings that may harm filter media.

STEP 03 – PROP-UP FILTER FOR DRAINING

Prop up the filter from the rear with a dowel or PVC to ensure water and debris drain effectively.
Ensure the filter pleats run horizontally.

STEP 04 – WASH WITH SLOW, DELIBERATE FLUSHING

Orient the water-stream oblique to the filter media.
With a continuous sweeping motion, flush the filter media water in a parallel to the direction of the pleats.

STEP 05 – GETTING THE FILTER CLEAN

Total wash time: 12 minutes per v-bank filter. Dedicate 90 seconds to each panel within the V-Bank filter. (8 panels × 90 seconds each).

STEP 06 – DRYING

Allow filters to air dry for 12 hours in a clean, indoor location. Maintain ambient humidity and a room temperature between 70–85°F.
Use a gentle fan to circulate air around the filter, but do not use heat or direct airflow into the filter.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE FILTER

Do not use chemicals or detergents.
Do not use a pressure washer.
Do not dry using heat guns, ovens, or direct sunlight.
Do not use an air gun or compressed air.
Do not exceed 40psi.

K&N Washable/Reusable Panel Filter Washing Instructions

Maintain peak performance and extend the life of your K&N Washable Filters by following the steps below. This procedure is designed for safe, effective cleaning using only water—no chemicals or detergents are required. Always follow K&N’s recommended service intervals. Regular maintenance helps ensure airflow efficiency and optimal performance of your filtration system.

TOOLS NEEDED

Cold water supply
Pressure regulator set to 40psi
Standard garden hose
Spray nozzle on “full” setting

Riser/Prop for drainage
Timer or stopwatch
Fan for optional gentle airflow during drying