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The Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer receives industry first Carbon Reduction Label
CHICAGO, IL- (March 22, 2010) – As an industry first, Dyson’s patented Airblade™ hand dryer is the first hand dryer to earn the Carbon Reduction Label from the Carbon Trust. Furthermore, Dyson research found that the manufacture of the new polycarbonate-ABS Dyson Airblade™ produces 50% less CO2 emissions than the aluminum equivalent launched in 2007.
The Carbon Reduction Label recognizes manufacturers’ commitment to the further reduction of their product’s carbon footprint - the amount of carbon emissions (CO2 and other greenhouse gases) produced from its materials and manufacture, transport, in-use and end of life. The Label, established in 2007 is based on PAS2050, the first internationally-accepted product carbon footprint standard. The Carbon Trust only grants their Label to companies with a ‘reduce it or lose it’ clause whereby if they fail to reduce the carbon footprint of the product in two years the Carbon Trust will withdraw the certification.
The rigorous process revealed that the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer emits 1,300 kg/ CO2e total emissions during its lifetime or 3.4 g/CO2e per dry1 – equal to the carbon emissions created by watching just over 2 minutes of television2.
“Good design and environmental responsibility go hand in hand," says James Dyson, Chief Engineer. “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, more hygienically while using nearly 80% less energy than traditional warm air dryers3.
According to Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, “more so than ever, everything we make and do today has a carbon impact. We commend Dyson for their 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.”
1Calculations based on 200 uses per day over 5 years
2Assuming a 32” widescreen LCD TV using 0.14kw
3Based upon Dyson test methods for energy consumption for the dry time to 0.1g
The Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer lifecycle:
The carbon footprint study of the machine revealed the following:
Materials and manufacture
Represents 7.3% of the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer’s total carbon emissions. The smallest component measured was a PCB resistor weighing just 0.09g. The machine, made from polycarbonate-ABS (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 aluminum equivalent.
Transport
• Transport, from the production of the machine’s materials to public restrooms, to recycling facilities, 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 helps minimise transport emissions.
Dyson also avoids energy exhaustive air-freighting by shipping its products around the world by sea using fuel-efficient vessels, rail and canal.
Energy in-use
The biggest impact on the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer’s carbon footprint is not through manufacture or transport, but its energy in use representing 92.1% of total carbon emissions.
The Dyson digital motor spins at 81,000rpm – five times faster than a Formula 1 car engine. Unlike conventional brushed motors, it doesn’t emit harmful carbon particles into the air.
End-of-life
The machine’s end of life phase represents less than 1% of the machine’s total carbon footprint.
Dyson ensures that it engineers machines and technologies that are reliable and durable thereby reducing the number of machines that need to be recycled or discarded. Almost all the machine’s component parts are recyclable.
The Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer is guaranteed by a 5 year warranty.
For more information, contact Valerie Silvis at valerie.silvis@dyson.com or 312.706.2266.
