Lots of public restrooms now give you a choice between paper towels and an electric hand dryer. It takes a little longer to use the hand dryer, but according to the Green Team at the National Zoo, dryers are twice as energy efficient as paper towels.

Although the production of the electricity that powers electric dryers generates greenhouse gases, the production of paper towels is twice as energy-intensive and creates more greenhouse gases overall. Also, the manufacture of paper towels emits pollutants, including chlorine, and many paper towels are made from virgin wood rather than recycled material. Your small choice can make a big difference.

Of course, at home, your best option is a cloth towel (washed in a full load in an EnergyStar washing machine and hung out to dry).

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.