Keeping in mind environmental concerns, what is the best way to dry my hands in a public bathroom?

Question

The other day I was having a dilemma between using the paper roll (but that seem to be a problem with wasting paper) or using the heated fan (but that seems to be a problem with wasting energy)... what would be the best thing to do in terms of the environment?

Answer 1

Wipe your hands on your shirt.

Answer 2

Not using the towels or the fan won't make that much of a difference. I would probably use the fan if you are that troubled. The electric company will still output the same amount of energy to that grid whether you use the fan or not. If you are extremely troubled, then just wipe your hands on your pants.
If you are concerned about the environment, stop wasting your time on the trivial things, and get more involved with the bigger problems.

It's like you're in a sinking submarine and you're worried about what kind of water you're in.

Answer 3

Simply shake your hands over the sink, not leaving a mess for others, and then rub your hands together to finish drying. The other option is to carry a hand sanitizer which requires no water at all! More and more persons are carrying hand sanitizer's for a multitude of reasons. The habit of carrying a hand sanitizer makes good sense when you consider public venues. What good is it to wash your hands when you have to open the bathroom door to exit following someone' exited before you that failed to wash their hands after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizers make the most sense even though they don't always feel that great afterwards Find a brand you like and buy stock in it. Ultimately, you may soon see the product in public environments. Public Schools have already started using the product in classrooms in lieu of hand washing. Certainly saves on trees and electricity! Just think the product is convenient, portable and ultimately affordable when you consider the cost to society in loosing a valueable natural resource simply to dry ones hands.

Answer 4

Your first choice should be to use the heated fan, its the most sanitary. Us the paper towels if you must but when you leave the bathroom use your elbows to open the doors. Using your hands to open the doors leaves you vulnerable to the germs of the person who didn't wash their hands. A good idea is to carry a little bottle of a gelled hand cleaner it contains alcohol and is a good disinfectant. It will keep you safe until you get home.

Answer 5

If saving water, trees, and electricity is your top priority, don't wash or dry your hands at all. Otherwise, use paper towels because they are work, while hand dryers cover you with bacteria and use electricty to do it (see link).

Also, note that hand sanitization gel production requires electricity, water, and other chemicals. Thus, from an environmental standpoint, such gel sanitizers also put a strain on the planet's resources.

Answer 6

lol using heated fan in a bathroom? I always stay away from those, not because of wasting energy, but because of blowing germs all around, they should remove all heated fans, I usually just shake my hands, it takes 1 minute to dry

Answer 7

you can always save the paper and the energy and let them air dry or wipe them on your pants.

Answer 8

energy can be regenerated by natural resources(wind, water)...paper degrades but not fast enough and takes up space until it does....use the heated fan....and if you still don't want to use either....use your pants...they will dry....smiles

Answer 9

dry them on the shirt of someone coming in as u r leaving.

Answer 10

wipe them on your pants. conserve paper and energy!