We also switched to paper towels in 2020, and when we turned our hand dryers back on this year, we decided to keep both so that paper towels are available to anyone who isn't comfortable using a hand dryer.
If you do move to exclusively having hand dryers available, many of them have controls to change the fan speed and temperature. We have the Excel XLerator hand dryers, and our electrician turns down the speed on those we have mounted lower on the wall so that they don't blow away the kids who are using them.
Sincerely,
Emily
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Emily O'Hara
Curator of Exhibit Design
Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoological Society
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-15-2022 12:24 PM
From: Stephanie Arduini
Subject: Bathroom question: Paper towels vs. driers?
Hi, all--
Posting the below inquiry on behalf of my facilities colleague. If you have any advice from your experience, or research/data that you use to inform your org's choice, we'd much appreciate it.
Hello All. Since we've reopened, we're learning how many consumables need to be purchased for our four restrooms. We are finding that we are going through almost 2 cases of Z-fold restroom paper towels per week (8000 towels!). This doesn't seem very financially or environmentally sustainable. We are wondering what other facilities have found to be good alternatives. Looking at electric blower dryers, we know they would pay for themselves quickly, however they have some stigma regarding blowing bacteria all around. Additionally, as a children's museum with tiny tots, some kiddos get very scared of the loud noise and blasting wind. Perhaps there are great modern blowers that are quiet and effective, or use ultraviolet light, etc. Thank you!!!
Thanks--
Stephanie
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Stephanie Arduini
Executive Director
Seattle Children's Museum
Seattle WA
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