Expensive to run
They need constant stocking
and disposal.
Carbon footprint
Paper towels rely on carbon
emitting road transport – giving
them a carbon footprint of 12.5g.*
Can’t be recycled
Most paper towels cannot be
recycled, so they end up in
the ground or the incinerator.*
Creates hazardous waste
Busy restrooms can be left with
trash cans overflowing with soiled
towels, a potential hygiene hazard.**
The problem with
paper towels
* Paper Towels data from Madsen 2007 report – Life Cycle Assessment of Tissue Products,
Prepared for Kimberly Clark, Environmental Resources Management: 39,000 dries per year,
1.5 towels per dry. Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer data based on same number of dries used in
the Madsen report, 12 second dry time, 5 years use. Also includes standby power consumption
and emissions generated by manufacture, transport and disposal. 12 second dry time based
on NSF protocol P335.
** Journal of Applied Microbiology – Comparative evaluation of the hygienic
efficacy of an ultra-rapid hand dryer vs conventional warm air hand dryers;
A.M. Snelling, T. Saville, D. Stevens and C.B. Beggs.