The debate about whether you should use paper towels or hand dryers is not new; it has been a hotly contested topic for many years. However, the pandemic and a massively heightened awareness of hygiene have reignited the conversation recently. There is no clear-cut answer as to which is best. The problem is, those with a vested interest in either solution fund research and produce reports that present perfectly reasonable arguments, some favouring hand dryers, others opting for disposable paper towels.

The popular argument for hand dryers is often focused on the touchless nature of the devices and the environmental benefits. There’s also a consistent reminder that when a hand dryer is fitted, it is always available to users, compared to the risk of empty towel dispensers. But, is this a reasonable or valid argument?

Employers must regularly refill other consumable products in washrooms, such as toilet rolls and soap; not adopting a disciplined approach to adequate restocking of all washroom products would be negligent. Fortunately, we believe that there is now much greater importance placed on washroom hygiene, so the risk of empty dispensers will naturally be far less than it might have been in the past.

What about the environmental impact? On the face of it, hand dryers appear to come out on top, but when you dig a little deeper, paper towel manufacturers can more than adequately argue their case. Paper products require the felling of trees, the manufacturing and packaging process, and the big one, continuous delivery. In contrast, hand dryers are manufactured and delivered only once. Yes, they use electricity, but many would argue that accurate sensors activate and deactivate the machines to minimise the cost and environmental impact.

At this point, it’s easy to see why the natural conclusion is to accept hand dryers are better for the environment. However, the paper towel advocates present a compelling counter-argument.

In their report, the European Tissue Symposium highlights Trees play a crucial role in the earth’s ecosystem. Paper boasts first-class environmental credentials: it is 100% natural, biodegradable, and comes from a renewable resource. It explains that most tissue producers support the different international and national forest certification schemes, and over 80% of the forests owned by paper and lumber companies in Europe are certified. Besides, European forests have been growing by an area of 1,500 football pitches1 every day.

Paper towel producers also cite that hand dryers can blow germs into the air; tests suggest as far as three meters from the device. At the same time, hand dryer companies point out that discarded towels and overflowing bins can also cause hygiene issues. All of these points make it a difficult decision because both sides offer good cases to use their solution.

The research and reports from both camps agree on one thing, the need to dry hands properly. Wet hands spread germs more easily, and ineffective hand dryers often lead to people leaving without properly drying their hands and the first touchpoint when they do is usually the door handle of the washroom.  It’s also worth noting that paper towels are also frequently used for wiping down surfaces, something you can’t do with a hand dryer.

Employers must provide the products to implement safer working practices throughout the workplace, not just in the washrooms.  An important issue in reducing the spread of germs is educating the workforce about how to minimise the risk.  A significant part of reducing risk is highlighting the necessity to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues or paper towels. So, regardless of the effectiveness of your hand dryers, you will still need to provide single-use paper towels and tissues in restrooms and preferably in other easily accessible areas around the workplace.

After exploring the research and reviewing the debates, we believe single-use paper towels are the most favourable option. However, we also agree it is only the better option if there is proper management of the facilities and adequate replenishment of all consumables.

It is a debate that will undoubtedly continue as workplaces reopen and adapt to new standards; we’d like to know what you think – hand dryers or paper towels?