You will have undoubtedly noticed a trend leaning towards greener buying as companies and employees battle with their responsibility to help turn the tide on climate change. We frequently field questions about what businesses can do to easily reduce their footprint and cost, and while that all depends on their starting point, we like to think that there’s a few things everyone can do to reduce their carbon footprint. And our answer normally starts with: eco hand dryers.
It is a legal requirement for establishments to have a safe means for customers and stakeholders to wash and dry their hands. What this looks like is open to interpretation, but for dry hands there is only a small choice to make: paper towels or a hand dryer. We’re here to tell you that hand dryers might be the most environmentally friendly choice. Why? Take a look…
Running costs
The running cost of a hand dryer is low compared to hand towels. While the running cost of towels is minimal too, you have the extra cost of ordering new batches once your stock runs low and keeping the area tidy. With a hand dryer, you simply pay for the times it is used. For example:
| Time in Use | Uses Per Day | ||
| 150 | 300 | 500 | |
| 10 Seconds | £0.05/€0.06 (day) | £0.10/€0.13 (day) | £0.17/€0.22 (day) |
| £18.40/€23.92 (year) | £36.80/€47.84 (year) | £61.34/€79.74 (year) | |
| 15 Seconds | £0.08/€0.10 (day) | £0.15/€0.20 (day) | £0.25/€0.33 (day) |
| £27.60/€35.88 (year) | £55.21/€71.77 (year) | £92.01/€119.67 (year) |
So long as you purchase the correct product for your washroom, you would save money, energy and help save the planet.
Energy use
The energy use for paper towels is zero. Here, it is clearly cheaper, but modern hand dryer models use less energy than a lightbulb and certainly use less energy over a long period, when you factor in the production of a hand towel.
Transportation
Transportation is a huge part of any product line. Here is where hand dryers are also more eco-friendly than paper towels. No matter how many towels you buy in bulk, you are always going to need to order more. And right now, the vast majority of delivery fleets are patrol or diesel only. This is an eco-cost that many people don’t think about. Regardless of the product, there are these costs, but with the repeated custom and transportation of paper towels compared to the single trip of a hand dryer, it is clear that hand dryers are much more transport friendly.
Natural costs
There is also a natural element to buying paper towels. These, of course, have to come from somewhere. Chopping down trees to create paper towels is sustainable, provided trees are being replanted, yet we should be looking at reducing the natural cost of all products, and paper towels do feel like a step backwards.
Of course, hand dryers use electricity. This is much more efficient and will eventually be replaced by more sustainable power methods, which will continue to make your hand dryer a more viable economical option.
But there are arguments for paper towels, especially if they are 100% recycled. But it is difficult to see past the transport costs and natural cost of using towels, especially if your washroom is busy. Adding in this study, which reveals that paper towels are the least green way to dry your hands, and you’re looking at a strong argument for electric dryers.
To see our options, and to find out which dryers are better for the planet, check out our hand dryer page to discover our extensive range that are perfect for all types of businesses, here. You may also want to check out our blog on Paper Towels vs Hand Dryers.
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