52nd CMS to conserve money, waste Published April 23, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Scott Montagne 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron recently purchased and installed nine high-velocity electric hand dryers in restrooms throughout the squadron. The hand dryers were purchased in an effort to reduce the amount of money spent on paper towels and the amount of waste generated from using them. "I would walk into some of our larger maintenance facilities and trash cans would overflow with used paper towels within one shift," said Maj. Jason Mitchell, 52nd CMS commander. "I knew we could improve and save money." Each year, the 52nd CMS purchases an average of 120 cases of paper towels at $20.05 each, totaling $2,406 spent annually. Each hand dryer was purchased for approximately $365 and includes a three-year warranty. The total cost for all hand dryers was approximately $3,200. During the next three years, the 52nd CMS would have spent approximately $7,218 on paper towels, but the squadron will save approximately $4,000 with the new hand dryers. "I like (the hand dryers) very much. They are very powerful, no more trash to take out, and they should save us money," said Airman 1st Class Jason Cotton, 52nd CMS propulsion flight. The savings generated from this initiative can be spent on needed items for the squadron. Along with the cost savings, there is a substantial amount of reduced waste. Each case of paper towels weighs about 15 pounds and produces about 1,800 pounds of waste each year.