The Clean Cut: A Practical Guide to Using & Disposing of Paper Hand Towels

The Hygiene Argument: Are Paper Towels More Sanitary?

Why It Matters

Drying hands properly is just as important as washing them. According to a study in the Journal of Hospital Infection, paper towels physically remove bacteria and viruses from the skin, while air dryers may actually spread them around the room.

The Composting Question: Can You Compost Paper Towels?

Short Answer: Yes – in Some Cases

Paper towels can absolutely be composted if they meet a few criteria:

• They must be unbleached or compost-certified (no glossy coatings or inks).

• They need to be free from chemicals, grease, or cleaning agents.

• They work best when made from recycled fibres or plant-based sources.

Look for towels labelled home compostable or commercially compostable (like these ones).

Do They Add Nutrients to Compost?

Yes! Paper towels are considered a carbon-rich “brown” material. They:

• Help balance out nitrogen-heavy “green” waste like food scraps or grass clippings.

• Improve airflow in your compost pile by breaking up dense organic matter.

• Ultimately decompose into nutrient-rich humus, aiding soil health and water retention.

So, while they don’t pack nutrients like banana peels or veggie scraps, they can play a supporting role.

How to Compost Paper Towels at Work

Setting Up a Workplace Compost System

Adding a compost bin for paper towels in your workplace bathroom or kitchen? Great idea! Here’s how to do it right:

✅ Choose the Right Bin

• Use a clearly labelled compost bin near the paper towel dispenser.

• Make sure it's lined with a compostable bag (or go liner-free if it’s regularly emptied).

✅ Educate Staff

• Post signage: “Paper Towels ONLY – No food, wrappers, or cleaning wipes.”

• Use visual aids to show acceptable items.

✅ Collection & Disposal

• If you have a commercial composting collection service, make sure the towels meet their requirements.

• For on-site composting, mix paper towels with green waste in a well-aerated bin or compost pile.

�� Bonus Tip: Add a layer of paper towels between food waste to reduce odours and help absorb moisture.

✅ Monitor & Maintain

• Empty regularly.

• Stir the pile or rotate compost to help it break down evenly.

• In 2–3 months, you’ll have lovely crumbly compost ready for gardens or landscaping.

Checklist: Make the Switch to Paper Towels – the Smart Way

✅ Choose compostable, unbleached paper towels
✅ Set up a clearly marked compost bin
✅ Educate staff with signs and reminders
✅ Arrange compost pickup or on-site composting
✅ Monitor compost for balance and breakdown
✅ Celebrate reducing landfill waste!

FAQs About Paper Hand Towels

Are paper towels more sanitary than hand dryers?

Yes – and science backs this up. Paper towels physically remove bacteria and moisture from the hands, while jet dryers can spread water droplets (and whatever's in them) up to 2 metres away, according to research from The Mayo Clinic. In settings like medical centres, offices, and cafes, paper towels are the more hygienic option, especially during cold and flu season.

Can you compost paper hand towels?

Yes, but with some conditions. Paper towels can be composted if they:

• Are free from grease or chemicals

• Are made from unbleached or recycled materials

• Are used for drying clean hands—not for cleaning spills with harsh chemicals

They add carbon to your compost, which helps balance the nitrogen from food scraps and keeps your compost from going soggy and smelly. They're especially helpful in maintaining airflow through a compost pile.

Are paper towels recyclable?

Unfortunately not. While they’re made from paper, most used paper towels are soiled with water, oils, food residue, or cleaning products. Plus, they’re often made from short fibres, which aren’t strong enough to be turned into new paper products. So they should go in the compost bin (if clean enough), or in general waste.

Where should I throw paper towels?

Here’s a quick guide:

• Compost bin: Best option, especially if you’re using bleach free or certified compostable towels and they’re not greasy.

• General rubbish: If they’ve been used with grease, cleaning chemicals, or bodily fluids.

• ❌ Not the recycling bin – ever.

Should I use paper towels in the bathroom?

Definitely. For businesses, paper towels help maintain hygiene and give customers or staff confidence in your cleaning standards. At home, they can be a practical and compostable alternative—especially if you have composting set up. They’re quieter than dryers, more effective, and eco-friendly when sourced well.

Why aren’t paper towels recyclable if they’re just paper?

It’s a combo of contamination and fibre length. Once a paper towel is used, it often contains moisture, oils, food residue, or germs. That, combined with the fact that paper towels are made from already-recycled material (with fibres too short to reuse again), means they don’t meet the requirements for paper recycling.

Can paper towels go in the green bin (council compost bin)?

Paper towels (and newspapers) can be used to line your green council compost bin.

Always check your local composting rules or contact your waste services provider to confirm.

Do paper towels break down in a compost pile?

Yes, and quite efficiently—usually in 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the compost conditions. They’re soft, absorbent, and easy for microbes to digest. They help soak up excess moisture and keep the compost aerated. If you’re seeing them hang around longer, just give your pile a bit more mixing and warmth. Just be careful not to put paper towels that have been used to clean up chemicals in your compost.

Can I compost greasy or food-soiled paper towels?

Grease is tricky. A little olive oil or food residue is generally fine in small home compost systems. But large amounts of grease, meat fat, or dairy can slow down decomposition and attract pests. It’s best to bin heavily soiled paper towels unless you’re using a hot composting system that can handle those items.

Are paper towels bad for the environment?

Like any single-use product, they have an impact. However:

• Compostable & recycled paper towels made from recycled fibres or sustainable sources (like bamboo) have a lower carbon footprint.

• When composted, they help return nutrients to the earth instead of filling up landfills.

• The key is choosing responsibly sourced towels and disposing of them correctly (i.e., compost—not landfill or recycling).

Are there eco-friendly alternatives to paper towels?

Yes! You can choose:

• Reusable cloths at home or in staff kitchens (as long as they’re washed regularly and sanitised if used in kitchens). If using reusable cloths and towels keep in mind the hygiene aspect - if not changed regularly there is a high risk of germ transferance when someone is unwell.

The most important factor is choosing what’s right for your hygiene needs and waste management setup.

Final Thoughts: Clean Hands, Clean Planet

Choosing paper hand towels is more than a hygiene upgrade—it’s a step toward sustainable living. When composted properly, they help reduce landfill waste and contribute to soil health. Whether you're managing an office or just making small eco-friendly changes, this is one choice that really stacks up.