2006-11-15 02:09:18 · 7 answers · asked by alexdawe 1 in Environment
Even though the latter uses energy, it is not taking up space and most of the hand dryers used anymore are energy-efficient. So, even though they are using energy, it's not a ton. Paper towels have to be made from trees, so there goes some of our oxygen supply, the factories used to cut the trees use more energy than hand dryers, the factories used to make the paper uses more energy than hand dryers (assuming the hand dryer manufacturers' factories are more energy-efficient), and the factories that produce paper are detrimental to our environment, not to mention the paper waste in landfills and the unsanitariness of used paper on the floors in restroom as well as the asthetics of overfilled garbage bins with half-wet paper towels in them are not appealing to the eye at all..... I would say that paper towels are more damaging to the environment.
2006-11-15 02:19:56 · answer #1 · answered by Summer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hand dryer by far. A paper towel will de-compose. To use an electric hair dryer takes far more energy that is totally in-efficient.
You have to crank up a power plant to produce the electricity. That will involve the use of coal, nuclear or natural gas all with un-desirable features. All of these fuels are 'burnt' to produce heat. That turns a generator which makes the electricity. Then it has to be boosted by a transfomer, sent down the grid, be reduced by another transformer to be used by individuals. You plug in the dryer and you get heat - the same thing that was used to get the electricity in the 1st place. Only it had to be converted at least three times before you could use the dryer.
2006-11-15 02:32:24 · answer #2 · answered by mikey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paper:
Well the paper towels can be recycled but most don't.
The trees have to be cut down which uses machines that pollute the air. And also have to be put through chemicals and so forth to be made into paper.
Air:
The electrical plants have to pollute the air some how to make all that electricity. How? I am not sure.
But I think with all the stuff you have to do to make paper then I will pick Paper as doing more harm than hand dryers.
2006-11-15 02:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the hand dryers don't do a good job many people use them and then grab some toilet paper to complete the drying or just keep restarting them till their hands are done.
paper towels btw are made from waste paper. No more trees are needed to make them so all the worries about the factory energy and the cut trees are not valid.
2006-11-15 02:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just shake my hands dry. LOL. I would say the paper towel are more damaging to the environment.
2006-11-15 02:22:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I've read, it is better to use a hand dryer. It is also more sanitary. I either read this in USNews and World Report or Newsweek. Either way, it was several years ago.
2006-11-15 02:18:06 · answer #6 · answered by Cadair360 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's equal - they both cause issues - one uses energy & the other goes to a landfill - use what you prefer
2006-11-15 02:11:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋