We all like to think we do our bit for the environment, with most of us recycling as much as we can at home and even opting for cars with lower emissions. However, making the green choice is not always easy. For example, have you considered the impact how you dry your hands could have on the environment?
While most people would assume that opting for a paper towel over a powered hand dryer would be a safe choice, the process of producing, distributing, managing and disposing of paper towels can use up a lot of energy, water and of course, trees! In fact it is estimated that just one tonne of paper towels is equivalent to 17 trees! Add to that the 20,000 gallons of water that is needed and suddenly opting for paper towels over a hand dryer does not seem quite as green as it once did.
What’s more, depending on the brand of paper towel, chemicals such as bleach or dyes may also be used during manufacture, which also adds to the environmental impact.
Next, there is the distribution process, which may well see the paper towels travelling many miles often via road and therefore using petrol or diesel. Once in situ, the paper towels need disposing of once used, which will require a bin liner – which in itself makes an environmental impact! Finally, used paper towels are not routinely recycled, usually ending up in general waste, which is ultimately landfilled.
So, what’s the alternative? Well, (other than wandering around with wet hands) while they air dry, electric hand dryers could be a low-energy, low maintenance choice.
The latest generation of hand dryers, such as the Tekflo® Blade, mean that drying hands using a hand dryer uses less energy than ever before thanks to the dryers’ minimal power consumption.
The Tekflo® Blade not only reduces drying time (and therefore energy use) by drying hands in just eight seconds but the auto cut-off feature ensures no energy is wasted.
With its sleek looks, range of finishes, including the option to customise the dryer to suit its surroundings, the Blade is a hygienic, efficient and low-noise addition to any washroom facility.
Of course, even electric hand-dryers have an environmental impact, for example, they too must be manufactured and distributed. However, given the life span of hand dryers, which are often several years, the impact is much less significant than with the disposable alternative.
If you would like to find out more about installing Tekflo® hand dryers in your organisation, contact the team by telephone 01509 323 036 or email enquiries@tekflo.com.
“The latest generation of hand dryers, such as the Tekflo® Blade, mean that drying hands using a hand dryer uses less energy than ever before thanks to the dryers’ minimal power consumption.”