Paper Towels
|
|
|
The most widely used form of hand drying in Australia is the use of the various forms of paper towelling. There is a heavy investment by the paper industry in the promotion of these products and many one sided reports, financed by the paper industry suggest that paper towelling is the "best" system. The facts, when researched effectively, paint a different picture. Lets have look at the pros and cons with paper hand drying. The good: Paper towels are absorbent and are quite good at removing bacteria from the hands. They initially give a good abrasive action (until they become moist). They can be used for drying forearms, but are not good for drying the face (especially when used by males). They are rated No2 behind cloth towels, on the effectiveness of bacteria removal. They are convenient to use, A paper towel or length of towelling can be removed from the dispenser, allowing the user to move away while drying the hands. The bad: With paper towels the user is forced to dispose of the soiled towel. This can lead to overflowing waste bins and higher disposal costs. Open bins can spread bacteria. Waste paper is often strewn around the washroom. The soiled waste needs to be removed from the washroom, usually in plastic bags - an additional cost and an environmental problem in itself. When people move away from the dispenser to dry their hands, the resulting drips of water on the floors can create a problem with slips and falls occurring in the washroom . Paper towels are often used to wipe down or "feather bed" toilet seats. The resulting waste, when flushed down toilet systems is one of the major plumbing costs in commercial and industrial locations. A high proportion of paper towels are pilfered for non intended use. Paper towel supply involves ongoing administration costs. Paper is purchased and paid for well before its use. Paper stock takes up storage space at the users premises. A genuine cost comparison between paper towels and Cotton Cabinet Towels, taking into consideration all factors, will in most cases show a considerable cost savings, using the Cotton Cabinet Towel System. (Instruction in how to conduct a realistic cloth/paper comparison is available in our AUS Sales Playbook) Lets look at the environmental issues relating to the use of paper towels: |
|
The use of disposable paper towels has a huge impact on the environment by contributing to deforestation, water pollution and global warming. Some of the facts about paper towel consumption and the environmental impact are:
|
|
|
