Much discussion is currently underway as to how we can become a "greener" school district. Recycling, composting, electronic communication versus paper and other ideas are being discussed or implemented.
I feel that the installation of hand dryers in the restrooms will not only save energy and money in the long run, but will be a boon to preventing or diminishing sickness. (Almost 50% of my budget is spent on paper towels and toilet paper alone!) And with concerns running high about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus making an aggressive comeback this school year, doing everything we can to prevent it is a necessity.
Notice a quote from an article taken from wisbusiness.com with regard to hand dryer use.
"Another CDC report noted that after using a public restroom, a person’s hand can host as many as 200 million bacteria! In restrooms, germs tend to concentrate in damp areas and on door handles. Conventional faucet handles in older public washrooms also house germs, so touching the handle, even after washing, re-contaminates the just-cleaned hands. The problem multiplies when students use manual cloth or paper towel dispensers, or even air blowers that require a button to be pressed. When all those steps are combined, there go most of the hygienic benefits of hand washing. That’s one reason hands-free, sensor-activated faucets, hand dryers, fixtures and other accessories have come into widespread use in public facilities. (Another reason: They conserve water and help reduce utilities costs.) Maze-like open entrances, which afford privacy and eliminate the need to push door plates to enter and pull door handles to exit are another design feature that eliminates germ exposure."
The studies are clear. Use of hand dryers prevents extra trash, minimizes the spread of germs, saves money on the purchase of paper towels, eliminates the need for maintenance to paper towel dispensers and the time involved to load them as well as remove discarded paper products and is quick and efficient in drying hands. I think this is an area where serious consideration of hand dryer installation in our schools' restrooms is needed. What do you think?
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Global Handwashing Day - October 15
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2 comments:
Sounds like a good idea except what are the start up costs to transition out all old paper towel holders for the auto blowdryers? How long would it take to recoup that cost?
Good question. I haven't actually figured out exact numbers on this, but looking at costs of dryers and "guesstimating" numbers for installation, I would think one year to recoup costs. Perhaps less depending on installation and wiring costs.
Also, the old dispensers would be kept as spares for classrooms or other areas where hand dryers would not be installed. So the old paper towel dispensers would not go to waste.
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