Why Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Airports Are Quietly Switching to Hand Dryers

Bathrooms don’t usually make headlines. But if you’ve stopped for a latte, grabbed a burger, or boarded a plane lately, you may have noticed a subtle change in the restrooms. You rush in, wash up, glance at the trash can — and pause. Where are the heaps of soggy paper towels? In their place: a commercial hand dryer roaring softly on the wall. Starbucks, McDonald’s, and airports aren’t saying much, but they’ve all started making the same choice. It’s not a coincidence. Across industries, from fast food to air travel, big brands are making a quiet but deliberate shift to hand dryers.

The Hidden Costs of Paper Towels

For decades, paper towels were the “default” option in restrooms. But the costs add up:

  • Billions of pounds of waste end up in landfills each year.

  • The paper towel supply chain — harvesting trees, transporting goods, stocking bathrooms — is resource-heavy and expensive.

  • Labor costs rise too. Custodial teams spend significant time restocking paper and emptying overflowing trash bins.

  • Plumbing nightmares. No matter how many signs say “Do Not Flush,” people flush them anyway. That leads to clogged toilets, burst pipes, and emergency plumbing bills.

Studies found that switching from paper towels to energy-efficient commercial hand dryers can save a business $14,000+ per year per location in supply and labor costs.

The Sustainability Pressure

Big brands are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprints. Paper towels carry a heavy environmental toll: every ton of paper towels requires 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water to produce.

By contrast, today’s new-generation of commercial hand dryers:

  • Use up to 80% less energy than models from a decade ago.

  • Require zero ongoing paper waste.

  • Last for years with little maintenance.

For Starbucks, McDonald’s, and airports catering to eco-conscious travelers, swapping in hand dryers is an easy win for sustainability reporting, especially for LEED Credits.

Hygiene: The Perception Gap

Critics often argue that paper towels are “more hygienic” than hand dryers. But many of those studies were funded or promoted by the paper products industry. Independent reviews increasingly show modern commercial hand dryers with HEPA filters are just as safe — if not safer — than shared towel dispensers or overflowing trash cans.

It’s worth noting: airports, which serve as hubs during flu season, are among the fastest adopters of HEPA-equipped commercial hand dryers. If hand dryers were truly dangerous, would they be trusted in the most high-traffic restrooms in the world?

Why the "Quiet" Switch?

So why aren’t these companies shouting the change from the rooftops?

  • Controversy risk: The paper products industry has strong lobbyists and PR campaigns.

  • Customer perception: Some still believe paper towels are cleaner, and brands want to avoid sparking hygiene debates.

  • Incremental rollout: Brands are upgrading bathrooms during remodels or new builds, so the transition is gradual.

What It Means for the Future

Restrooms may not be glamorous, but they’re one of the biggest overlooked sustainability frontiers. As more corporations set public goals for waste reduction, hand dryers are emerging as a small change with an outsized impact. Businesses, large and small, are already recognizing the benefits as customers adjust to the new reality. At HandDryerUSA, we help businesses of every size make the same switch that Starbucks, McDonald’s, and airports are already embracing. Contact us to learn how your company can cut costs, reduce waste, and modernize your restrooms.