Environmental calculator washroom

Environmental calculator

Reduce your washroom environmental footprint

Compare the impact of drying your hands with a reusable cotton solution versus single-use paper.

Number of working days ^* On average 235 working days (5 days a week, 47 weeks per year). To be adapted for specific activities (schools, hospitality, industry…).

Number of users per day ^*

Number of uses per person per day ^* On average people dry their hands 3 times a day. To be adapted to your use.

Compare to ^*

Environmental calculator

Choosing Elis reusable cotton solution enables to save each year:

The results include the full life cycle of the dispenser and the paper/cotton towel roll from raw material to end of life, including the washing process for the reusable solution. This is based on a LCA study done according to ISO 14040 and 14044 that went through a third-party review.

Carbon footprint (kg CO2e) Contribution to climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, methane...).

0 km by car

Fossil energy use (kWh) Consumption of fossil energy

0 days of heating

Waste (kg) Waste generation at the end of life.

0 sheets of paper

Find our more about the results

The figures come from the comparative LCA "Drying a pair of hands with cotton versus paper ". The LCA went through a critical review process in line with ISO 14071 requirements. Peer board was LCA expert.

These results are based on drying one pair of hands.

On the overall of environmental issues, cotton scenario has a lower impact of 60% (single score from Product Environmental Footprint). More detailed impacts are described above. Cotton requires about 2,5 more water than paper but more than 95% is due to the raw material. Elis is engaged to use the cotton roll as long as possible to reduce this impact. Especially, at Elis, cotton rolls are repaired. To expand the lifespan and reduce the impact, high quality products are selected and cotton rolls are repaired. Additionally, some cotton rolls are dyed in blue to have a second life. This second life was not accounted for into the study and is likely to even improve the environmental benefits of the reusable solution.

Finally, Elis works on recycling more and more its textile (about 80% recycling at end of 2024).

Main assumptions:

Cotton towel rolls are used many times, they are washed in an industrial laundry and delivered to customer.
For paper towel solution both paper towel rolls and folded paper were considered and an average was taken.

Methodology: ISO 14040, 14044, Environmental Footprint 3.1 method.
Database: Ecoinvent 3.11, PEFCR 3.1 and Elis specific data.

* Product Environmental Footprint single score has been defined by the European Commission

Steps analysed in the LCA

Your
environmental impact reduction

By choosing Elis reusable cotton solution, you will save each year:

The results include the full life cycle of the dispenser and the paper/cotton towel roll from raw material to end of life, including the washing process for the reusable solution.

They are based on a LCA study done according to ISO 14040 and 14044 that went through a third-party review.

Carbon footprint (kg CO2e)

0 km by car

Fossil energy use (kWh)

0 days of heating

Waste (kg)

0 sheets of paper

Data input

Number of working days

Number of users per day

Number of uses per person per day

Compare to

Who is Elis

Elis, a leader in circular services, allows businesses to achieve optimal hygiene and protection for their employees and customers.

Elis offers its clients products that are maintained, repaired, reused, and reemployed to optimize their usage and lifespan. Elis’ conviction is that the circular economy model, which notably aims at reducing consumption of natural resources by optimizing the lifespan of products, is a sustainable solution to address today’s environmental challenges. The services offered by Elis represent a sustainable alternative to the simple purchase or use of products or to single-use disposable products. More than 80% of the Group turnover is based on the product as service business model.

The LCA

Elis carried out a comparative Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) covering the full life cycle of cotton roll and paper towel solutions to dry hands.

The dispenser and the consumables were included in the study.

Disclaimer:

The results come from the comparative LCA « Drying a pair of hands with cotton versus paper ». The LCA has been reviewed by an independent LCA expert and went through a critical review process in line with ISO 14071 requirements.  Peer board members were LCA experts.

Methodology: ISO 14040, 14044, Environmental Footprint 3.1 method

Database: Ecoinvent 3.11, PEFCR 3.1, ADEME and Elis specific data.

Date: Fri, 03/13/2026 - 02:15