For years now, most Americans associate hand drying with paper or cloth towels.  Hand dryers have taken a back seat for some time now.  However, times are changing and technology is improving.  Federal and State Departments are putting special programs in place to inspire people to become more ECO-Friendly.  This brings Hand Dryers forward into the spot light.  Consumers are starting to realize the extraordinary benefits of hand dryers including their energy efficiency and the huge reduction of labor costs that they provide.  The true benefits of “Going Green” are being recognized.  Many are pleasantly surprised to hear about all to the dramatic improvements that have taken place within the hand dryer industry.  The industry has introduced a new generation of hand dryers that offer “State of the Art” hand drying technology.  Builders, architects, building supervisors, and building inspectors have become aware of the many benefits that hand dryers offer and are starting to implement them regularly within their facilities.

Every year a given facility is allowed a specific budget to work with.  Working within these budget restraints can be intimidating and overwhelming at times.  Because of this, many building managers have opted to go with what they know and go the paper towel route.  Some building managers have become educated on the benefits of hand dryers and come to the realization that by switching to hand dryers, they save up to 90 percent of restroom costs.  In addition, maintenance hours are reduced to almost zero.  In short, the initial cost of hand dryers is more expensive, but in the long run hand dryers offer a huge savings.  In fact, they will more than pay for themselves within the first year.  30% of America’s landfills are occupied by paper towel waste.  Once you make the initial investment to purchase hand dryers, you can relax.  There are no further fees that you must pay.  These units are super energy efficient are require very little maintenance.  If using paper towels, there are constant costs involved.  Replacement of paper towels, constant clean up, toilets being clogged, and the constant cost of buying more paper towels.  Hand Dryers will eliminate up to 90 percent of restroom costs and considerably cut down on landfill waste.  Plus, with the elimination of paper towels the restroom will stay much cleaner.  Many facilities report a decrease in vandalism once paper towels have been eliminated.  Many facilities have reported the vandalism of their paper towel dispensers and the theft of the paper towels themselves.  Hand Dryers are vandal resistant, therefore the temptation to vandalize is minimized.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Water Stewardship, Environmentally Preferable Building Materials and Specifications, Waste Reduction, Indoor Environment and Smart Growth and Sustainable Development are all elements of the “Go Green” movement.  This is all in an effort to protect the environment and provide for the future of our planet.  The government is finally starting to get on board with this and has begun regulations and the implementation of Green programs.  New construction is now being built with these new requirements and regulations in place.  Previously constructed buildings are being offered incentives to retrofit their respective buildings to meet “Green Code”.   There is also something to be said for a building that is green minded.  It says something to their patrons.  It lets their patrons know that they care and that they are part of something special.  Most people will be open to the idea of hand dryers in a restroom facility.  The skeptics will soon follow suit once they experience the new generation of hand dryers.  The new state of the art hand dryers will completely dry hand within 10 seconds or less.

There is no question that to be environmentally aware and to make a difference, hand dryers are the way to go.  Even comparing the use of hand dryers to recycled paper, there is no real comparison.  Did you know that to make one ton of recycled paper it takes 7000 gallons of water, 360 gallons of oil, 158 million BTUs of energy, and approx. 86 pounds of pollutants go directly into our atmosphere.   Knowledge is power.  So here we are approaching the New Year.  The year 2010 awaits us.  Shall we take this knowledge and provide for a better tomorrow?  All it takes is the knowledge to be applied.  Many talk about the end of our planet.  It is not the end, but rather a new beginning.  A new chapter of genuine awareness can make the difference.  As the late great Michael Jackson said, “Heal the world, make it a better place.  For you and for me and the entire human race.”