The debate over paper towels being harmful is quite ragged. However, it is a topic worth discussing. The debate over the effects of manufacturing and use paper towels on the environment took a turn against the billion-dollar industry after scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 2008, conducted a compete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of various technologies including paper towels, hand dryers, and cotton roll towels.

And the result was surprising, even for many environmental scientists. Recycled paper towels were found to have the second most negative impact on the environment while Airblade Plastic hand dryers had little to no impact.

Why Are Paper Towels Harmful?

The answer lies in its manufacturing process and disposal.

1. Paper towels are made from wood pulp, the same as any other paper product. The chemicals used to manufacture soft paper towels are toxic in nature but do not cause widespread damage as per studies.
2. Paper towels are also dumped in water sources causing polluting water and causing harm to marine as well as human life.
3. Humans consume millions of tons of paper towels that are aiding in fast depletion of forests and polluting water sources.
4. Paper towels are packaged in plastic material, increasing the overall non-biodegradable waste generation post-disposal. These plastics would take thousands of years to degrade or get consumed by microorganisms.
5. Coupled with anti-bacterial chemicals, paper towels can be considered a bio hazard when disposed in landfills. There is no way to recycle or reuse most disposable paper products such as sanitary napkins. The amount of time paper towels take to biodegrade is typically about a year. Thicker paper towels take longer to disintegrate.

Reduction in Usage & Alternatives

1. To reduce consumption of paper towels, using cotton towels is recommended. However, these, too, cause an impact on the environment (even though considerably less).
2. Buy reusable towels instead of disposable ones and reduce the amount of waste your household generates.
3. If you want a permanent non-paper solution, go for AirBlade Plastic and AirBlade Aluminium hand dryers. DO NOT confuse them with warm hand dryers since the latter is more hazardous than paper towels. AirBlade consumes less water, has almost no CO­₂, occupies only a few centimeters, and consumes almost no water during its manufacturing.
4. Despite being electrically operated, the manufacturing process of AirBlade dryers consumes less than 25% of the energy consumed by that of paper processing.

Going with scientific analysis and evidence can help you cut down on carbon emissions and reduce your contribution to global warming.