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Hand dryer receives industry first carbon reduction label

9th August 2013

  

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British technology company Dyson says its patented Airblade hand dryer is the first hand dryer to earn the Carbon Reduction Label from nonprofit organisation Carbon Trust.

Dyson research found that the manufacture of the new polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) Dyson Airblade produces 50% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than the aluminium equivalent launched in 2007.

The Carbon Reduction Label recognises manufacturers’ commitment to the further reduction of their product’s carbon footprint – the amount of carbon emissions produced resulting from products’ materials, manufacturing, transporting, use and disposal.

The label, established in 2007, is based on PAS 2050, the first internationally accepted product carbon footprint standard.

The Dyson Airblade hand dryer has a five-year warranty. It dries hands in just 12 seconds using the Dyson digital motor, generating two high-velocity sheets of air that literally scrape water from hands like a windshield wiper.

Dyson highlights that its Airblade is the only hand dryer to use a high-efficiency particulate air filter, cleaning the air before touching hands – it is the only hand dryer certified hygienic by public health and environmental organisation National Sanitation Foundation International.

Dyson’s patented Airblade technology is available in two versions. For heavy traffic and extreme use in places such as airports and stadiums, the AB02 is designed with high-impact robust aluminium. The second iteration AB04 is made from PC-ABS and is specified for standard commercial use in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and all other public restrooms.

The Carbon Trust only grants their label to companies with a ‘reduce it or lose it’ clause whereby the Carbon Trust withdraws the certification if they fail to reduce the carbon footprint of its products in two years.

The rigorous certification process revealed that the Dyson Airblade hand dryer emits 1 300 kg/CO2-equivalent total emissions during its lifetime or 3.4 g/CO2-equivalent a day, based on 200 uses a day over five years.

Dyson chief engineer James Dyson says good design and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

“As an engineering company, we are constantly reviewing our machines and manufacturing to deliver better performance using less energy and materials. The Dyson Airblade hand dryer eliminates the power-hungry heating element, drying hands faster and more hygienically while using nearly 80% less energy than traditional warm air dryers,” he states.

Carbon Trust CEO Tom Delay says everything made and done today has a carbon footprint.

“We commend Dyson for its commitment to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of the Airblade hand dryer and hope our recognition helps people find opportunities to tackle climate change,” he says.

The carbon footprint study of the machine revealed that the materials and manufacturing represent 7.3% of the Dyson Airblade hand dryer’s total carbon emissions. The smallest component measured was a printed circuit-board resistor weighing just 0.09 g. The machine, made from PC-ABS, a strong and flexible plastic used to make riot shields and police helmets, produces over 50% less CO2 emissions during production than the aluminium equivalent.

Transport from the production of the machine’s materials to public restrooms and then to recycling facilities once it reaches the end of its life, makes up less than 1% of the total carbon footprint of the machine.

The close proximity of Dyson suppliers to testing, development and assembly operations in Malaysia also helps reduce transport emissions, notes Delay.

Further, Dyson avoids energy-intensive air-freighting by shipping its products globally by sea using fuel-efficient vessels, rail and canal.

The biggest impact on the Dyson Airblade hand dryer’s carbon footprint is not through manufacture or transport, but the energy consumed while it is in use, representing 92.1% of the product’s total carbon emissions.

The Dyson digital motor spins at 81 000 rpm – five times faster than a Formula 1 car engine and unlike conventional brushed motors, it does not emit harmful carbon particles into the air, says the company.

The machine’s end-of-life phase represents less than 1% of the machine’s total carbon footprint, with almost all the machine’s component parts being recyclable.

 

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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