A compactable or incinerateable non-resilient, coreless, cylindrical filter element including an annular pleated filter media having rigid end caps which are sealingly bonded to the pleated filter media with the exterior of the filter element surrounded by, but not part of the filter element, a non-bypassing support cage comprising of perforated sheet formed into a cylinder and having an end cap at each end with the top flanged end of the support cage and the top end cap of the cylindrical filter element sealed between a support housing by sealing rings to thereby prevent leakage of fluid past the end of the filter media.