E170 - Which is more eco - a hand-dryer or paper towels?

A deceptively simple question: what's actually more eco-friendly, paper towels or hand dryers? The answer depends on factors like the type of paper, the electricity source, and, most importantly, how long you use the dryer. High-speed hand dryers generally come out ahead if you're only using them briefly. We also revisit one of the greatest TED Talks ever: Joe Smith's unforgettable four-minute masterclass on drying your hands with a single folded paper towel.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 87 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 26th March 2026.

While...