Blue hand roll is a mainstay of toilet, classroom, and kitchen facilities in offices, shops, schools, and hospitals throughout the UK, and indeed the world.
However, with businesses and public organisations increasingly focusing on everyday ways they can improve sustainability, facilities managers often have to make tough choices when it comes to choosing between convenience and the environment.
One such choice is whether or not to use blue hand roll in your facilities. In this article, we will explore the materials used in blue hand roll and delve into the recyclability of this product. We will also touch on some alternatives to blue hand roll, such as bamboo and sugarcane products.
What Is Blue Hand Roll?
Blue hand roll is a cheap, mass produced paper towel product typically made from paper pulp, which is then treated with chemicals, bleached, and then dyed to give its distinctive grey-blue appearance. Sometimes, it is also treated with a hydrophilic agent to make it more absorbent. The blue dye that is added to the paper is not just for aesthetics; it is also used to prevent contamination of the product from any dirt or debris that may be on the user's hands.
Blue roll is also, unfortunately, one of a list of items that can’t be widely recycled.
Why Can’t Blue Roll Be Recycled?
The reason for this is that blue roll – along with other paper hand towels, tissues, napkins, and paper wrappers – are frequently heavily contaminated with food and other waste products, which prevents them from being recycled.
Additionally, many blue hand roll brands cannot be recycled even in a pristine state due to the synthetic dyes and chemicals that are added to the paper during the manufacturing process. This makes it difficult to break down the fibres of the paper and recycle it properly. Therefore, it is recommended that blue hand roll be disposed of in the general waste bin.
This doesn’t mean, however, that you should stop using blue roll. Many manufacturers have started producing blue hand roll using more eco-friendly methods, making the product more biodegradable and – in some cases – easier to recycle. Always check with your vendor if you are unsure before attempting to recycle a paper towel product. Recycling facilities vary between local authorities.
Bamboo And Sugarcane Alternatives To Blue Hand Roll
If you are looking for an eco-friendlier alternative to blue hand roll, then bamboo and sugarcane products are excellent emerging choices. Bamboo paper is fabricated from bamboo fibres, which are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional paper – bamboo grows extremely quickly and is easier to harvest than trees, with less harm to local ecosystems.
Sugarcane paper, on the other hand, is made from bagasse, the fibrous residue that remains after sugarcane has been crushed to extract the juice (to make spirits, cleaning products, and processed sugars). This creates a new product out of a waste material that would normally just be discarded or burnt. Both of these materials are fully biodegradable and recyclable, and are created from renewable resources that are easily replenished.
Please note, however, that soiled paper towel is still nonrecyclable due to the presence of grease and other contaminants, even if it is made from bamboo or sugarcane. You can, however, compost these products successfully if you have the facilities and the inclination.
Sustainable Cleaning Equipment And Supplies From Power Hygiene
Our cleaning supplies catalogue includes a wide range of sustainable and recyclable paper products, including toilet rolls, hand towels, facial tissues, kitchen rolls, and dispensers. To purchase professional-grade paper products at competitive trade prices, please click here to register for a free account, or call us on 0800 802 1590 for more information.
Image source: Canva
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