Hand drying footprint measures the environmental impact of different hand drying methods—paper towels, electric dryers, and cloth towels. Each method has distinct environmental trade-offs involving energy, waste, water, and CO₂ emissions.

Paper towels create immediate waste and require virgin pulp or recycled fiber, both with manufacturing impacts. Electric dryers use energy (with associated emissions based on grid source) but produce no waste. Cloth towel rolls require water and energy for laundering but are reusable.