Energy-efficient electric hand dryers are the top environmental choice for hand drying systems. Cloth-roller systems are the second best choice because they do not create solid waste. Paper-towel systems are less preferable due to the maintenance of dispensers, cost of solid waste disposalThe act of getting rid of unwanted items and material having no value in excess of their basic material content. Mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) is typically disposed of at landfills, mixed-waste composting facilities, or energy recovery facilities., and higher labor costs.
When cloth-rollers or energy-efficient hand dryers are not a feasible option, choose recycled contentThe portion of a product that is made from materials diverted from the waste stream, usually stated as a percentage by weight. paper-towel systems. Keep in mind that the environmental costs include the energy consumed in manufacturing, packaging, transporting the product, collecting trash, transporting the trash, and disposal in landfills or incineration. Some costs related to waste disposal may be mitigated by collecting waste paper in a source separated organics (SSO) program.
Replace older model hand dryers with newer models. Newer models use high-powered technology to leave hands completely dry in less time and consume less electricity.
State and local policies encourage the use of paperless methods of hand drying, as appropriate. In some cases, a specific type of hand drying system may be mandatory, highly recommended, or preferable. For example, a Minnesota Administrative Rule requires that washing stations located in food handling areas offer electric hand dryers along with paper towels. Likewise, vehicle maintenance shops may strongly prefer cloth towels, which absorb grime and cleaners better than paper and electric dryers.
If paper towels are the best choice for your location, Federal Procurement Guidelines recommend purchasing those with minimum 40 - 60 % post-consumer recycled content.
Hand Dryers
By utilizing advanced energy-efficient technologies, newer model electric hand dryers use up to 80% less energy than conventional hand dryers, reducing a facility's overall energy costs. These dryers are typically very reliable and require little maintenance except for a recommended annual cleaning.
Newer model hand dryers save users time by blowing air at high speeds that accelerate hand drying time to 8 to 12 seconds. They also remove water from the hands more thoroughly than paper towels. However, users may perceive that blowers take longer than paper because dryers require people to remain standing in one place and older models, with their weaker output, take longer. Thus, equip busy restrooms and wash-up areas with an adequate number of dryers to accommodate usage levels. If necessary, add cloth-roll towels or recycled-content paper towels as an alternative.
Cloth-Roll Towels
Cloth roll towels (CRT) are argued to be the most economical, hygienic, and environmentally sound choice for hand drying and are up to 4 times more absorbent than paper. The strength and performance of CRTs are comparable to virgin content paper towels. CRTs require less energy to make and process, and cause far less pollution to the environment than making and using paper or air dryers.
Recycled-Content Paper Towels
The strength and performance of recycled-content paper towels are comparable to virgin content paper towels, however, they accrue labor costs to maintain dispensers, clean washing areas, and dispose of garbage.
Fact: Virgin and recycled-content paper products perform similarly in many applications.
Sources: Darman Manufacturing Co. and European Textile Service Association
Electric Hand Dryers are available nationally through outlets. Two excellent choices are the Excel Xlerator and the Dyson Airblade. The Xlerator claims to completely dry hands in 10-15 seconds using 80% less energy than conventional hand dryers. It is GreenSpec® approved and helps qualify for LEED® credits.
The Airblade claims to dry hands in 12 seconds and uses a filter to remove more than 99.9% of bacteria in the air used to dry hands. The Airblade, which passed the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Protocol P335 for commercial hand dryers has anti-microbial additives in its surfaces to reduce bacterial and fungal growth.
Cloth-roll towels, shop towels, and other reusable cloth wipers are available for rent, lease, or purchase through linen services.
Recycled-Content Paper Towels are available from most custodial products suppliers and many office supply outlets. The strength and performance of recycled-content paper towels are comparable to virgin content paper towels.
See Vendors for distribution information.
|
Initial Cost |
Approximate Use Cost |
Additional Factors |
|
|
Electric Hand Dryer |
$75 - $150 per unit |
$1.34 per 1,000 dryings (American Dryer Co. estimate) |
Electricity |
|
Cloth Roll Towels |
$1/month dispenser rental; $2 per 40 yard roll |
$6.60 per 1,000 dryings ($2 per roll at 300 dryings per roll) |
Cloth roll replacement; rental contract |
|
Paper Towels |
$30 for dispenser; $1.50 - $2.50 per roll |
$22.70 per 1,000 dryings (American Drying Co. estimate) |
Disposal; Replenishment; Labor to fill stock |
Electric hand dryers are the best hand drying option for the budget. By reducing waste paper, they save a facility hundreds or thousands of dollars in disposal costs each year.
Cloth Roll Towels (CRTs), also known as continuous roll towels, are an environmentally-friendly option and offer financial savings relative to disposable paper towels. Reusable towels are installed in cabinet dispensers that often use no electricity. Linen services typically charge a flat rate for changing the towel dispenser and a rental contract is required.
Paper towels are the most feasible option in some cases. Recycled-content paper towels usually cost less than their non-recycled counterparts.
New model energy-efficient hand dryers use about 80% less energy than conventional hand dryers. Some contain filters that remove bacteria from the air used to dry hands. In addition, some new models have anti-microbial additives on their surfaces to reduce bacterial and fungal growth.
Consider including the following specifications when procuring hand dryers:
- Hand dryers must be energy efficient.
- Hand dryers must contain a bacteria removal filter.
Cloth roll towels (CRT) are four times more absorbent than paper towels. Manual dispenser cabinets require no electricity. Some linen services outsource their cleaning of the towels so request that eco-friendly products are used.
Consider including the following specifications when procuring cloth roll towels:
- Dispensers must not require the use of electricity.
- Towels must be cleaned with cleaning products that meet Green Seal, Environmental Choice, and/or Design for the Environment standards.
Paper towels should be hardwound and Processed Chlorine Free (PCF). According to Green Seal, a nonprofit organization that sets standards for and certifies a range of environmentally-sound products, purchasers should buy paper towels that:
- Contain a minimum 40% post-consumer recycled fiber.
- Contain no elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching, which causes the release of chlorinated compounds, such as dioxins and furans, powerful carcinogens and mutagens.
- Arrive in environmentally preferable and minimal packaging.
- Come in jumbo sizes to reduce packaging per unit.
Try to find Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) towels, which are not bleached with chlorine or its derivatives.
Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) Many virgin pulp mills converted to ECF processes that use chlorine derivatives, primarily chlorine dioxide, instead of elemental chlorine gas to bleach paper. ECF dramatically reduces the potential to form dioxins, but does not completely eliminate it. Be aware that some manufacturers present ECF paper as "chlorine free" when chlorine dioxide was used in the bleaching process, not chlorine gas.
Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) uses non-chlorine bleaching processes, including oxygen, peroxide, and ozone bleaching systems and eliminates dioxins and chlorinated toxic pollutants by not producing them in the first place.
Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) uses totally chlorine free processing. Includes recycled content, however it is not recommended for paper towel production by Green Seal.
Source: Conservatree
Other good practices are to purchase paper towels systems that:
- Dispense only the amount needed (controlled-use dispensing).
- Contain more square feet than that of other standard rolls.
- Contain no added pigments, inks, dyes or fragrances.
- Contain less air that "puff up" and make the roll look bigger than it is.
Energy-Efficient Electric Hand Dryers
Crescent Electric (Excel Xlerator Distributor)
St. Paul, MN
651-227-0172
www.cesco.com
Dyson AirBlade
www.dysonairblade.co.uk
Cloth Towel Linen Services
AmeriPride Linen and Apparel Service
Minneapolis, MN
800/750-4628
612/331-1600
www.ameripride.com
Huebsch Linen & Uniform Rental
Eagan, MN
888/577-6287
651/452-5588
www.huebsch-services.com
Leef Services
Minneapolis, MN
888/445-5333
612/374-3880
www.leefservices.com
Sunburst Commercial Laundry
Blaine, MN
763/780-8998
www.sunburstlaundry.com
Cintas Corporation
Eagan, MN
800/246-8271
651/454-0560
www.cintas.com
Recycled-Content Paper Towels
Minnesota State Contracts
The majority of paper towels available under the state contract have a minimum of 90% recycled content. See Cooperative Purchasing Venture for information on accessing this contract.
P-661(5) Paper: Towels, Tissue & Napkins
Johnson Paper & Supply Co.
Minneapolis, MN
612/230-3687
dsraymond@johnsonpaper.net
Distributor of Cascades North River towel and tissue line made from 100% recycled fibers, processed chlorine-free. Products are certified by Green Seal, EcoLogo, and the Chlorine Free Products Association.
Anchor Paper Company
St Paul, MN
651/298-1311
800/652-9755
www.anchorpaper.com
The EcoSoft towel line is made from 100% recycled fibers and contains a minimum of 40% post-consumer waste.
Apache Group
Arden Hills, MN
651/633-5555
800/733-7135
www.apachegroup.com
Providing recycled content paper products.
Ecosoft Green Seal
www.ecoproducts.com
100% recycled waste paper free of inks, dyes and fragrances.
U.S. Communities Program
www.uscommunities.org
Counties, cities, and schools may join the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance to access a contract with Office Depot. See Cooperative Purchasing - U.S. Communities for information on this program, or visit the U.S. Communities website. Some paper towels available through this contract have recycled content. Orders may be placed over the Internet.
Green Seal
Washington, DC202/872-6400 www.greenseal.orgGreen Seal is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that certifies a variety of environmental products that pass stringent testing standards. Check out the Green Report on Tissues and Paper Towels (2004)
US Green Building Council
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.Stopwaste.org
“Alternatives to Multi-Folded Paper Towels” compares paper towel options to hot air dryer options.
Saving Energy- One Electric Hand Dryer At A Time
This article provides facts as to why electric hand dryers are the most economical and environmentally friendly as opposed to paper towels.
The process of manufacturing recycled-content paper towels uses considerably less energy than that of virgin wood pulp. It also produces less pollution. New model electric hand dryers are more energy efficient than old models.
Using recycled-content paper towels reduces the amount of waste burned in incinerators and placed in landfills.
Cloth-roll towels and electric hand dryers reduce waste by providing paperless forms of hand drying.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised August 19, 2008 - 2:56pm