Managers seeking to improve the sustainability of restrooms also can take advantage of changes in paper products that go into touchless restroom dispensers. Manufacturers of toilet and facial tissue, diapers, paper towels and napkins increasingly are using partial or 100 percent recycled paper in their products.
More economical jumbo rolls of 1,500 sheets are replacing standard rolls of 1,000 sheets. Also, rolls are placed in locked dispensers or on bars that are difficult to turn, making it difficult to remove many sheets at once and, as a result, discouraging theft. Additional advantages include fewer empty dispensers and a drop in the need to replace empty rolls as frequently.
Buildings in the U.S. also are beginning to install paperless toilets based on products already used internationally. The paperless toilet eliminates the need for paper use through the use of a wand located in the bowl, which dispenses warm water for cleaning and warm air for drying.
Finally, advances in touchless, warm-air hand dryers offer a range of advantages that include shorter drying cycles, no use of paper, and no need to reload paper or cloth towel dispensers, thereby eliminating the cost of paper and being more hygienic.
Thomas A. Westerkamp is a maintenance and engineering management consultant and president of the work management division of Westerkamp Group LLC.
No-Touch Technology Boosts Restroom Hygiene
Dispensers Common Target to Improve Restroom Hygiene
Paper-Waste Control Key to Sustainable Restrooms
