Bamboo Paper Hand Towels NZ: What Are They & Are They Better?
Bamboo Paper Hand Towels: What Are They & Are They Better?
Paper hand towels are used every day in offices, schools, hospitality businesses, commercial buildings and other workplaces throughout New Zealand.
But just as toilet paper can be manufactured from different fibres, so can paper hand towels.
One option is bamboo paper hand towels.
So what exactly are bamboo paper hand towels, how are they different from conventional paper towels, and are they a better choice for your business?
The answer isn't simply that bamboo is automatically "better".
The fibre composition, packaging, ply, towel size, dispenser compatibility and performance of the finished product all matter.
In this guide, we'll explain what bamboo paper hand towels are, what businesses should look for when comparing them and the verified characteristics of Hygiene Direct's bamboo slimfold paper hand towels.
What Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels?
Bamboo paper hand towels are disposable paper towels manufactured using bamboo-derived pulp as some or all of their fibre source.
They are designed for hand drying in washrooms and other commercial facilities in much the same way as conventional folded paper hand towels.
Depending on the product, they may be supplied in formats such as:
- Slimfold
- Interfold
- Multifold
- Other folded hand-towel formats
The important distinction is that bamboo describes the fibre used in the paper — it doesn't necessarily describe the format of the towel.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels are supplied in a 2-ply slimfold format for use with compatible paper towel dispensers.
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels the Same as Reusable Bamboo Towels?
No.
This is an important distinction because products described online as "bamboo paper towels" can refer to very different things.
Some bamboo towels are reusable household cleaning products. They are designed to be washed and reused in much the same way as a cleaning cloth.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels are different.
They are single-use disposable paper hand towels designed for hand drying.
They are intended for commercial applications such as:
- Workplace washrooms
- Offices
- Hospitality
- Schools
- Commercial buildings
- Staff facilities
- Customer washrooms
So if you're searching for bamboo paper towels for a commercial washroom, check whether you're looking at a disposable paper hand towel or a reusable bamboo cleaning towel.
They are different products intended for different purposes.
What Are Hygiene Direct Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Made From?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range is manufactured from:
60% bamboo pulp and 40% wood pulp.
Bamboo therefore makes up the majority of the paper-making fibre, but the product isn't 100% bamboo.
We state that composition clearly because the term "bamboo paper" doesn't necessarily mean that bamboo is the only fibre in the product.
Different manufacturers can use different fibre blends.
If you're comparing bamboo paper hand towels, one of the first questions to ask is:
What percentage of the paper is actually bamboo?
For Hygiene Direct's range, the answer is clear: 60% bamboo pulp / 40% wood pulp.
For a more detailed explanation of why blended fibres are used in tissue products, read our guide Why Is Our Bamboo Paper 60% Bamboo and 40% Wood Pulp?
Why Combine Bamboo and Wood Pulp?
Different paper-making fibres have different physical characteristics.
Tissue manufacturers can combine different pulps when producing paper products rather than relying on a single fibre source.
The finished performance of a paper hand towel can be influenced by factors such as:
- Fibre characteristics
- Fibre blend
- Ply
- Sheet construction
- Manufacturing process
- Towel dimensions
We haven't been given a specific technical explanation from the manufacturer for why the exact 60% bamboo / 40% wood ratio was selected, so we don't claim that the blend was chosen for one particular performance reason.
What we can say is that bamboo is the majority fibre in Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range and that the exact composition is clearly disclosed.
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Better?
That depends on what you're comparing and what matters to your business.
Simply containing bamboo doesn't automatically make a paper towel:
- More absorbent
- Stronger
- Softer
- Lower carbon
- More sustainable
- Better value
- Better suited to your dispenser
Those characteristics need to be considered at the finished-product level.
For Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels, there are several specific characteristics businesses can evaluate:
- 60% bamboo pulp / 40% wood pulp
- 2-ply construction
- Plastic-free packaging
- Biodegradable under natural conditions
- ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free – bleaching
- Manufacture by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer
- Slimfold commercial format
- 4,000 sheets per carton
Those facts provide a much better basis for deciding whether the product suits your business than simply assuming bamboo must automatically be better.
What Does 2 Ply Mean?
Ply refers to the number of layers used to construct the paper towel.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo slimfold paper hand towels are 2 ply, meaning the finished towel consists of two layers of paper.
Ply is one of several factors that can influence how a hand towel performs.
However, a higher ply count shouldn't automatically be interpreted as meaning a product is always better.
Paper towel performance can also depend on:
- Fibre
- Sheet size
- Absorbency
- Strength when wet
- Manufacturing
- How much paper users take per hand dry
This is why commercial buyers should compare the complete product rather than focusing on ply alone.
We'll explore this in more detail in a separate guide: 1 Ply vs 2 Ply Paper Towels: Which Is Better for Commercial Washrooms?
What Is a Slimfold Paper Hand Towel?
Slimfold is a folded paper hand towel format designed for use with compatible commercial dispensers.
The towels are stacked inside the dispenser and presented to users for individual hand drying.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels have a sheet size of approximately:
230mm × 220mm
and are supplied in packs of:
200 sheets.
There are 20 packs per carton, giving:
4,000 paper hand towels per carton.
The slimfold format makes them suitable for commercial washrooms where a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser is used.
What Are the Benefits of Folded Paper Hand Towels?
Folded paper towels provide businesses with a simple single-use hand-drying system.
Depending on the dispenser and towel format, benefits can include:
- Convenient wall-mounted dispensing
- Individual towels available when required
- Easy monitoring and replenishment
- No shared cloth towel
- Predictable carton quantities
- Suitable formats for different washroom sizes
The main consideration is ensuring that the paper towel fits the dispenser correctly.
Slimfold, midfold, C-fold, multifold and other formats aren't necessarily interchangeable.
We'll cover those differences in our next guide: Slimfold Paper Towels Explained: Sizes, Dispensers & How to Choose.
Are Hygiene Direct Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Plastic-Free?
The packaging is plastic-free.
All products in Hygiene Direct's Bamboo Paper Products NZ range are supplied without plastic packaging.
This includes the bamboo slimfold paper hand towels.
For businesses purchasing paper towels repeatedly, packaging is worth considering because even relatively small amounts of plastic can accumulate across:
- Multiple cartons
- Multiple washrooms
- Multiple sites
- Regular orders throughout the year
Plastic-free packaging therefore provides a specific, identifiable product characteristic rather than relying on a broad term such as "green".
Does Bamboo Automatically Mean Plastic-Free?
No.
Bamboo refers to the fibre used to manufacture the paper.
Packaging is a separate consideration.
A bamboo paper product could potentially be packaged in plastic, just as a conventional or recycled paper product could be supplied in paper or cardboard packaging.
That's why businesses should check the actual product specification rather than assuming that one characteristic guarantees another.
For Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range, the supplier has confirmed that the products are supplied in plastic-free packaging.
For more information about what to look for, read Plastic-Free Toilet Paper: What Should Businesses Look For? Many of the same packaging principles apply to other commercial paper consumables.
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Biodegradable?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper has been confirmed by the manufacturer as biodegradable under natural conditions, where it can decompose through the action of microorganisms.
This applies to the bamboo paper itself.
However, it's important to understand what biodegradable does — and doesn't — mean.
Biodegradable doesn't automatically mean flushable.
Paper hand towels are designed for hand drying and should be disposed of appropriately after use.
They should not be flushed down the toilet.
We'll explore this distinction further in our guide Are Bamboo Paper Towels Biodegradable?
Can Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Be Flushed?
No.
Paper hand towels should not be flushed down toilets.
This is an important distinction between the bamboo paper hand towels and Hygiene Direct's bamboo toilet tissue.
Our bamboo toilet tissue has been confirmed by the manufacturer as septic suitable and designed to disintegrate rapidly after flushing.
Paper hand towels have a different purpose and should be disposed of after use rather than flushed.
The fact that both products contain the same 60% bamboo / 40% wood pulp fibre blend doesn't mean they are designed to behave identically.
Product construction and intended use matter.
How Are Hygiene Direct Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Bleached?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper is manufactured using an:
ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free – bleaching process.
This means elemental chlorine isn't used in the bleaching process.
The wording matters.
We don't describe the product simply as completely "chlorine free" because that would be a broader claim than the information supplied by the manufacturer supports.
Likewise, we don't describe the paper as "chemical free".
The accurate statement is:
Manufactured using an Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching process.
Are the Bamboo Paper Hand Towels FSC Certified?
The accurate statement for Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range is:
Manufactured by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer.
FSC Chain-of-Custody certification provides a system for tracing FSC-certified materials through the supply chain.
However, a manufacturer's Chain-of-Custody certification doesn't automatically mean that every finished product manufactured by that company carries its own FSC product claim.
That's why we don't simply describe the Hygiene Direct bamboo paper hand towels as "FSC certified".
We use the precise statement supported by the certification information available to us.
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Lower Carbon?
Hygiene Direct doesn't make a low-carbon or carbon-neutral claim for its bamboo paper hand towels.
The manufacturer doesn't currently hold an independently verified Product Carbon Footprint report for the product.
A product's carbon footprint can potentially involve:
- Raw materials
- Pulp processing
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Packaging
- Transport
- Distribution
The fact that bamboo is used as a fibre source doesn't by itself establish the carbon footprint of the finished paper towel.
For that reason, we focus on the product characteristics we can substantiate rather than making a carbon claim without appropriate evidence.
Bamboo Paper Hand Towels vs Regular Paper Towels
The fundamental difference starts with the fibre.
Conventional virgin-fibre paper hand towels commonly use wood-derived pulp.
Bamboo paper towels incorporate bamboo-derived pulp as some or all of their fibre.
Hygiene Direct's product combines the two:
60% bamboo pulp + 40% wood pulp.
Beyond fibre, businesses should compare:
- Ply
- Sheet size
- Number of sheets
- Packaging
- Dispenser compatibility
- Performance
- Certification
- Price
- Cost in use
A bamboo towel shouldn't automatically be selected purely because it contains bamboo.
It should also be a practical hand-drying product for the facility.
Bamboo vs Recycled Paper Hand Towels
Recycled paper towels take a different approach.
Rather than introducing bamboo-derived pulp, recycled towels use recovered paper fibre.
This means the two options have fundamentally different fibre sources.
Which is better will depend on the product and the purchasing priorities of the business.
For example, an organisation prioritising recycled-content purchasing may favour a recycled hand towel.
A business interested in introducing bamboo-derived fibre while also reducing plastic packaging may find Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper towels worth considering.
We'll compare these options properly in our upcoming guide Bamboo vs Recycled Paper Towels: What's the Difference?
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Absorbent?
Absorbency is obviously important for any paper hand towel.
A hand towel needs to remove water effectively enough to dry hands without users needing an excessive amount of paper.
However, we don't claim that bamboo automatically makes Hygiene Direct's hand towels more absorbent than every conventional or recycled alternative.
Absorbency can be influenced by:
- Fibre characteristics
- Ply
- Sheet construction
- Manufacturing
- Sheet size
The Hygiene Direct bamboo hand towel is a 2-ply commercial paper towel, and the most useful comparison is against other actual hand-towel products rather than assuming the fibre alone determines performance.
Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Suitable for Businesses?
Yes. Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels are specifically suited to commercial hand-drying applications.
Potential locations include:
Offices
Workplace washrooms and staff facilities can use slimfold towels with compatible wall-mounted dispensers.
Hospitality
Restaurants, cafés and other hospitality businesses require convenient hand drying for staff and customer washrooms.
Schools and Education
Paper hand towels can provide a straightforward single-use hand-drying option in shared washroom facilities.
Accommodation
Hotels, motels and other accommodation facilities can use folded paper hand towels in shared, public and staff washrooms.
Commercial Buildings
Shared washrooms in offices, retail premises and commercial facilities can require significant quantities of paper towels throughout the year.
Industrial and Workplace Facilities
Factories, warehouses and other workplaces can also use folded hand towels in staff washrooms and appropriate hand-washing areas.
The main practical requirement is choosing the correct towel and dispenser combination.
Does Dispenser Compatibility Matter?
Very much.
One of the most common mistakes when buying commercial paper hand towels is assuming that all folded towels fit all dispensers.
They don't necessarily.
Commercial paper hand towels can vary in:
- Sheet width
- Sheet length
- Fold
- Folded dimensions
- Pack dimensions
- Dispensing format
A towel that doesn't fit the dispenser correctly can lead to poor dispensing, difficulty loading the unit or excessive paper being pulled out.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo hand towels are slimfold towels, so they should be used with an appropriate compatible dispenser.
If you're unsure whether BBPSF4000 will fit your current dispenser, contact Hygiene Direct before ordering and we can help confirm compatibility.
How Many Bamboo Paper Towels Are in a Carton?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo slimfold paper towels are supplied as:
20 packs × 200 sheets
giving:
4,000 sheets per carton.
This is useful when comparing commercial paper towel products because carton quantities can vary considerably.
Don't compare carton prices without also checking how much paper you're actually receiving.
Useful comparisons include:
- Sheets per pack
- Packs per carton
- Total sheets per carton
- Sheet dimensions
- Ply
- Expected towels used per hand dry
- Carton price
For businesses using large quantities of paper towels, these differences can significantly affect the practical cost of a product.
Is Price per Carton the Best Way to Compare Paper Hand Towels?
Not necessarily.
Suppose one carton contains 2,400 towels and another contains 4,000.
Simply comparing the carton prices doesn't tell you which represents better value.
Likewise, comparing sheet count without looking at sheet size and ply can also be misleading.
A useful commercial comparison should consider:
Cost per sheet
How much does each individual towel cost?
Sheet size
How much paper does each towel provide?
Ply
Are you comparing similar tissue constructions?
Consumption
How many towels do people typically use?
Dispenser performance
Does the dispenser present towels effectively without encouraging users to take unnecessary quantities?
The cheapest carton isn't necessarily the lowest-cost hand-drying solution.
What Should Businesses Look for When Buying Bamboo Paper Hand Towels?
Before switching, ask the following questions.
What Is the Actual Fibre Composition?
Don't assume "bamboo" means 100% bamboo.
Hygiene Direct's composition is clearly stated as 60% bamboo pulp / 40% wood pulp.
Is It a Disposable Hand Towel?
Make sure you're comparing commercial paper hand towels rather than reusable bamboo kitchen or cleaning towels.
What Format Is It?
Check whether the product is slimfold, multifold, C-fold or another format.
Will It Fit the Dispenser?
Confirm compatibility before ordering.
What Ply Is It?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo slimfold towel is 2 ply.
How Many Towels Are in the Carton?
BBPSF4000 contains 4,000 sheets per carton.
How Is It Packaged?
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range is supplied in plastic-free packaging.
Is Biodegradability Confirmed?
The manufacturer confirms that Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper is biodegradable under natural conditions.
What Bleaching Process Is Used?
The Hygiene Direct range uses an ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free – bleaching process.
What Certification Claim Actually Applies?
The Hygiene Direct range is manufactured by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer.
Are Broader Environmental Claims Supported?
Don't assume bamboo automatically means carbon neutral or lower carbon.
Look for appropriate evidence behind broader claims.
Why Hygiene Direct Doesn't Simply Say Bamboo Paper Towels Are "Better"
It would be easy to say bamboo paper hand towels are better than conventional paper towels.
But that's too broad.
Different businesses have different priorities, and different paper products have different specifications.
Instead, we think it's more useful to tell customers exactly what they're purchasing.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper hand towels are:
- 60% bamboo pulp / 40% wood pulp
- 2 ply
- Slimfold
- Approximately 230mm × 220mm per sheet
- 200 sheets per pack
- 20 packs per carton
- 4,000 sheets per carton
- Supplied in plastic-free packaging
- Biodegradable under natural conditions
- Manufactured using ECF bleaching
- Manufactured by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer
We don't make unsupported carbon-neutral or low-carbon claims.
That gives businesses factual information they can use to decide whether the product suits their purchasing and washroom requirements.
So, Are Bamboo Paper Hand Towels Worth Considering?
Yes.
For businesses looking for a commercial paper hand towel that introduces bamboo-derived fibre while also providing plastic-free packaging, Hygiene Direct's bamboo slimfold towels are worth considering.
Bamboo makes up the majority of the fibre at 60%, while the remaining 40% is wood pulp.
The finished product combines that fibre composition with:
- 2-ply construction
- Slimfold commercial format
- 4,000 sheets per carton
- Plastic-free packaging
- Biodegradability under natural conditions
- ECF bleaching
- Manufacture by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer
Whether they're the right choice ultimately depends on your facility, dispenser system, paper consumption and purchasing priorities.
The important thing is to compare actual product specifications rather than assuming that the word "bamboo" tells you everything you need to know.
Shop Bamboo Paper Hand Towels in NZ
Hygiene Direct supplies bamboo paper hand towels for commercial washrooms and workplaces throughout New Zealand.
Explore our Bamboo Paper Products NZ range or view our Bamboo Premium Slimfold Towels 2ply – 20 packs of 200.
Each carton provides 4,000 2-ply slimfold hand towels, manufactured from 60% bamboo pulp and 40% wood pulp and supplied in plastic-free packaging.
Need help confirming whether the towels will fit your existing dispenser? Contact Hygiene Direct and we can help you choose the correct paper and dispenser combination.
Related Bamboo Paper Towel Guides
- Slimfold Paper Towels Explained: Sizes, Dispensers & How to Choose
- Bamboo vs Recycled Paper Towels: What's the Difference?
- Bamboo Paper Hand Towels for Businesses: Are They Worth Switching To?
- Are Bamboo Paper Towels Biodegradable?
- 1 Ply vs 2 Ply Paper Towels: Which Is Better for Commercial Washrooms?