The process of “going green” should not be seen as a mere marketing tactic or advantage for companies. Because more consumers opt for eco-friendlier products and facilities every day “going green” is now expected from businesses, as an obligation and commitment towards the environment.
There are various reasons why implementing sustainable products can benefit a company, whether it's to attract consumers, reduce waste, or save on energy costs. Simply put, reducing your carbon footprint will benefit you both in the short and long run, whilst helping to save the planet.
Ever since the spread of Covid-19, sanitation has become more of a priority. More than ever, maintaining hygiene is imperative for a customer's positive impression of a business. With bacteria spreading 1000 times more through touch, the methods we use to dry our hands must be switched up to combat viruses.
For instance, unused paper towels can retain bacteria from one host, transferring potentially harmful microorganisms to the next person's hands. To avoid this, we need to start looking for paper towel alternatives, like a sustainable, automatic bathroom hand dryer. In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about hand dryers and how they can contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.
Low Energy Hand Dryers Vs. Traditional Hand Dryers
It's essential to remember that not all hand dryers are the same, and some are not built to be particularly energy efficient. It's the same with costs and durability. It all comes down to what specifications you need from your hand dryer, and what brand you choose.
Like computers and cars, hand dryers evolve over the years as technology moves forward. The newer energy-efficient hand dryers not only dry your hands faster, but they do it at a fraction of the cost and energy usage.
If you were ever concerned about the energy a hand dryer consumes and the hefty electricity bills you might have to pay, know that many hand dryer companies have updated their design and optimized them to utilize less energy, making them more sustainable, durable, and eco-friendly.
Hand dryers cut down on transportation costs.
Transportation is an essential step in every goods industry because regardless of the type of items your store sells, you'll need to transfer them via some sort of transportation service. This is also where pollution and fossil fuel usage come in, reversing the effect of any positive effort toward restoring the climate.
If we bring paper towels into the equation, hand dryers are far more eco-friendly. Irrespective of the amount of towels you buy in bulk, you will always be required to restock more once they have run out. Consumption of paper towels occurs at a quick rate, so it's hard to estimate the safe assumption of usage.
Currently, the vast majority of delivery fleets still use petrol or diesel, and this is an eco-cost that many people need to consider. This repeated custom and transportation of paper towels compared to the single trip of a hand dryer clearly indicate that hand dryers are much more transport friendly.
Natural costs
If we compare paper towels, since that is the most popular known alternative in the market, there is another environmental cost to consider with paper towels.
Paper towels come from chopping down trees and may be sustainable, provided trees are being replanted. However, we should direct our focus toward reducing the natural cost of all products, and paper towels feel like it's taking a step backward.
Hand dryers use electricity which is much more efficient and will eventually be replaced by sustainable power methods. Through the constant evolution of hand dryers, industries will undoubtedly make hand dryers a more viable economical option.
Arguably, paper towels can be considered if they are 100% recycled. But it is tough to see past transport and the natural cost of using towels, especially if your facility has a busy washroom. As well as this, a study reveals that paper towels are the least green way to dry your hands.
Hand dryers are the greener option.
Hand dryers excel when it comes to increased economic and environmental efficiency. A paper towel dispenser used around 200 times daily, which will cost 1,800 lbs of paper towel waste yearly. On the other hand, electric hand dryers create no paper waste, minimizing the carbon footprint of hand drying by approximately 85%.
Take the Mitsubishi Jet Towel, for instance. It has a life of up to ten years before it is ready to be replaced, compared to the constant topping up required for paper towel dispensers. To contribute to an increasingly environmentally friendly world, you'll need hand dryers that reduce the carbon footprint of paper towels. This makes hand drying a more cost-effective process.
Furthermore, consider electric hand drying technology for washrooms since they provide a clean and hygienic user experience while reducing the environmental impact of hand drying.
How sensor hand dryers provide maximum hygiene.
We recommend opting for automatic sensor triggered hand dryers, as they are the most hygienic option. These automatic dryers will eliminate the need for you to get in contact with the hand dryer and consequently spread germs or allow them to spread to you.
Choose one that uses infrared sensors within a spacious hand-drying area, ensuring an entirely no-touch bathroom experience. Your bathroom spacecan be even more hygienic when coupled with sensor-activated taps.
Factors to look for when buying a hand dryer.
If you want the best results and the highest degree of sanitation, it's imperative that you also do your research before officially purchasing a hand dryer. We've already established that there are many variants of the same hand dryer; you just need to know the features you prioritize and what exactly you're looking for.
Some factors to look for when choosing the most energy-efficient hand dryers for your bathroom are valid certifications. For instance, look for BuildingGreen Approved, EPD (Environmental Product Declarations) Certifications, and Greener Product Certified hand dryers.
Other factors to watch out for when choosing a sustainable hand dryer include dry time and speed, heat and energy usage. Ideally, facilities should install hand dryers that dry hands in 10 seconds or less, using as little energy and heat as possible.
To conclude, when choosing hand dryers, always go for the energy-saving modern ones as opposed to the traditional models, because low-energy dryers will help you to save on far more energy. Hand dryers are sustainable since they require less use of transportation and are moreenergy-efficient. They are also arguably the greener option when compared to paper towels, since hand dryers create no paper waste, minimizing the carbon footprint of hand drying by approximately 85%.
Aside from all these sustainable benefits, they are more hygienic, as most dryers do not require you to make contact with them, substantially reducing the spread of germs. Taking all of this into consideration, hand dryers might be the ideal option for your facility. We hope you find this article insightful.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/11/paper-towels-drying-hands-energy
Author Bio:
Shabnam Yaseen is an avid reader and writer who strives to create informative and accessible content for her readers. As a Muslim writer, she brings a unique perspective to her work. With a strong understanding of modern technology, she leverages its power to effectively convey her message to a wider audience.
