Eco-friendly hand dryer

The agency compared the most common drying methods in public toilets to compare their impact on the environment. It concluded that paper towels have the biggest environmental impact, closely followed by cotton towels and standard warm air dryers. According to the research, the most environmental friendly hand drying method is the Dyson Airblade hand dryer.

The study 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. 

Unlike paper towels – the most resource intensive hand drying method, according to the study – the environmental impact of hand dryers occurs during use. Where other hand dryers can be slow, and use a heating element, so they’re energy hungry, 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 UBA is Germany’s main environmental protection agency, providing national and international organisations, such as the WHO, policy advice.