The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA Germany) compared the most common drying methods in public toilets to compare their impact on the environment.
Its conclusion was that paper towels have the biggest environmental impact, closely followed by cotton towels and standard warm air dryers. The most environmental friendly hand drying method, according to this research is the Dyson Airblade hand dryer.
The research conducted considered the life cycle of the different hand drying methods, including the emission of greenhouse gases, the noise level, the consumption of raw materials and fossil fuels as well as potential human health impacts. The UBA is Germany’s main environmental protection agency, providing national and international organisations, such as the WHO, policy advice. The full study can be download via this link.
Most environmental friendly
Unlike paper towels – the most resource intensive hand drying method, according to the study – the environmental impact of hand dryers occurs during use. Most other hand dryers are slow, and many use a heating element, so they’re energy hungry. By investing in new technology and striving to do more with less, Dyson engineers have developed a machine which not only works effectively and hygienically but also has a lower impact on the environment than other hand drying methods.
The Dyson Airblade hand dryers produce up to 79% less CO2 than other hand dryers and are able to dry 18 pairs of hands for the price of a single paper towel.
The fastest to dry hands with HEPA filtered air
Every second, the Dyson digital motor V4 draws in up to 35 litres of air through a HEPA filter, and forces it through apertures 0.8mm wide. The result is 430mph sheets of filtered air that scrape water from hands, like a windscreen wiper – drying them quickly and hygienically in as little as ten seconds without the need for an energy intensive heating element.
Most hygienic hand dryer
Damp hands can spread up to 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands – so effective hand drying is important. Bacteria and viruses in washroom air can cause colds, flu, sickness and diarrhoea. Most hand dryers simply suck this air in, and blow it on your hands. Dyson Airblade hand dryer passes washroom air through a HEPA filter to remove 99.9% of bacteria.
The Dyson Airblade hand dryer is the only hand dryer worldwide that has been approved globally by NSF, and HACCP International has accredited it for use in food preparation environments.
