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No paper towels? No hand dryer? What, am I crazy? Hear me out—I realize this'll probably be far from the most popular advice ever dispensed. But it's worth a go. Trust me.
The paper towel vs. hand dryer question is hardly a new one, and the research shows that the dryer is indeed the greener of the two options. Sure, it takes a lot of energy and resources to manufacture them, but the light amount of electricity it requires which is lessening further still makes up for the cascade of solid waste generated by paper towel use even if they are made of recycled paper. But the greenest alternative, by far, is to forgo any drying amenity, heat-driven or absorptive, and give your hands a solid post-wash shake and be on your way. Wipe 'em on your jeans maybe. No one has to know.
Obviously, this isn't always optimal—if you're wearing a suit or dress, for instance, or if it's freezing cold outside, you may want to properly dry your hands. But in say, 75 percent of situations, you'll probably be fine with the ol' shake and wipe. And it's not like you're being unhygienic—I'm not suggesting you give up washing your hands, or anything. Although...(kidding).
No, what it adds up to is a few minor seconds of bucking a societal standard—flying in the face of convention. You might feel uncomfortable the first time or two, but that's half the fun. You just might feel like the guy who decided that having a separate fork for desert was pointless. You might feel liberated.
So go on, give it a go. Wash your hands, and walk right out the bathroom door with a smile on your face.
More on Hand Dryers and Paper Towels:
UnTreeHugger: An Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser
A Picture is Worth...Watch the Amazon Go Down in Paper Towels...
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