I have multiple options at work: I can use paper towels, which are made from recycled material, I can use an electrical hand dryer or I can use fabric towel from a dispenser roll. All these modes create a certain level of impact on the environment, from the production over maintenance to disposal. Which one does the least amount of damage to our lovely planet?
2007-06-25 16:20:48 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment ➔ Green Living
As many towels as you like as far as I'm concerned because you have just enticed about 20 people to answer your stupid question instead of using your brain and making up your own mind.. How much electricity have the answerers, including me, used?
2007-06-27 11:20:20 · answer #1 · answered by Chewbydoo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although they're made of recycled material, the paper towels are probalby the most wasteful since you just throw them away afterwards.
The hand dryer uses electricity, but the question is how much.
The fabric towel has to be cleaned eventually - I guess it depends on what they do with it. Do the just throw it out after it's been used for a while, or do they actually wash and reuse it?
My guess would be that the electric hand dryer is the most environmentally friendly, but it could be the fabric towel too.
2007-06-25 16:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by Dana1981 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Quick method: wipe on clothing.
Slower method: wave in air, then finish on clothing.
Slowest method: leave hands wet and let them dry naturally.
All of the above are environmentally good. Paper towels,cloth towels, gels and electric dryers all impact the environment in some way. You environuts worry about the silliest things, just use what is available and get back to something important.
2007-06-26 18:13:33 · answer #3 · answered by Taganan 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The most hygienic is the paper towel because you can also use it to open the door before you toss it to prevent the spread of germs. Air driers and cloth towels have been proven to be less effective at providing a hygienic drying method especially since the cloth towel needs to be rolled up and the germs live in the damp environment until it is washed. The air dryer may dry your hands but if the person before you failed to wash then you open the door and get what ever they left behind. So for the safety of your work environment use paper towel and reduce the spread of germs. Good Luck!
2007-06-25 17:01:59 · answer #4 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Surprisingly, the paper towels are. I know, I know...save the trees, etc. But the truth is, even when it's not from recycled sources, paper is a renewable resource. And it's biodegradable. The coal used to generate the electricity to build and run the air dryer, and heat the water to clean the cloth towel, is not a renewable resource.
Like everyone else said, best option would be to let them air dry.
2007-06-25 16:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by joecool123_us 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I call it the "rinse, shake, rub"
Rince your hands in the sink, shake em out really good (watch you don't lose a ring under the toilet....that wouldn't be good) and then rub them on the sides of your pants! Girls can rub their damp hands in the hair to smooth fly aways, or put a little more curl back in.
No need to hand dryers.
You can also carry a hanky in your purse or bag and use this for a quick dry off.
2007-06-25 22:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by vegface 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T wash OR dry your hands. seriously.
use an antibacterial hand gel, such as germ-ex. by washing your hanbds, you use up water, by drying them with paper towels, you cut down trees, and by air-drying them with the hand dryer, you get more germs on your hands (from the air) than what you started out with before you washed your hands.
think of all the paper towels and water and energy you conserve, while still keeping good hygeine. pass this tip on to all of your co-workers, friends, and family. the world will thank you.
2007-06-26 10:52:03 · answer #7 · answered by scoot 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solar powered air dryer.
If not then the fabric towel washed in hot water from solar heaters.
If the above 2 are not possible then paper towels made from recycled papers.
If none of above then wipe them off your pants shirts, but this may be unhygeinic depending on where your clothes have been.
2007-06-25 19:18:33 · answer #8 · answered by funnysam2006 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Waving them in the air is a good option - takes a bit longer but less impact on the environment...
2007-06-25 20:14:33 · answer #9 · answered by philip o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The electric hand drier may initially be the most expensive, but over its lifetime it should be more environmentally friendly.
But I agree with the other posts, don't use anything but just rub your hands together and they will dry naturally.
2007-06-25 16:30:41 · answer #10 · answered by malcolm g 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋