An Investigation into the Sustainable Attributes of Three Hand Drying Methods: Paper Towels, Cloth Towels, and Hand Dryer

Abstract

As part of the Student Union Building (SUB) Renewal Project for the University of British Columbia (UBC), students were asked to conduct research sustainability implementations on various sections of the building. The following report will use the Triple Bottom Line criterion to analyze the use of cloth towel dispensers, electric hand dryers and recycled paper towels for hand drying in public washrooms of this new building. Environmentally, cloth dispensers and electric hand dryers consume very little energy. For cloth dispensers, one towel roll requires only 17 Watts per wash; and for a new generation hand dryer, 4.7 Watt-Hours per dry. Economically, both cloth dispensers and air dryers require material replacement approximately every five years. Cloth dispensers require regular cleaning of towel rolls, in contrast to air dryers where almost no maintenance is required. Recycled paper towels pose different issues as an alternative; they consume the most energy of the three methods proposed due to material, delivery and maintenance costs. However, studies have shown that of the three methods, paper towels are the most effective at removing bacteria from the hands. This is mostly due to the frictional removal upon wiping. However, cloth towels are not far behind in terms of removing bacteria and have a much smaller environmental impact. Looking in context, UBC is a public campus geared towards sustainability where students commute from various locations across the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA). The student population and diversity on campus prompt that one's health is of paramount importance while still upholding the idea of sustainability. Based on this criterion, this demonstrates that cloth towel dispensers are the best method of hand drying.