The Australian national airline, Qantas, has ignited a fierce debate over corporate sustainability and passenger convenience after removing paper towels from its lounge bathrooms.
MP Slams 'Ludricrous' Virtue Signalling
The controversy erupted after Queensland Liberal MP Bryson Head shared a photo online of a sticker in a Qantas Lounge bathroom. The sticker explained the move, stating: 'Please use the hand dryer. Paper towels have been removed as they are non-recyclable.'
Mr Head, the Member for Callide, strongly criticised the decision, labelling it 'ludicrous' and a 'poor attempt at virtue signalling'. He questioned the airline's consistency, pointing out that toilet paper is also non-recyclable. 'In all seriousness, this decision by a big corporation is nothing more than chasing decimal point profit margins,' he argued.
Concerns Over Hygiene and Industry Impact
The MP also called for Qantas to reverse its policy, citing potential damage to Australia's timber industry and raising hygiene concerns. He highlighted that many timber workers are integral community members, serving as firefighters and coaches.
'If you really want to be a corporation that sends signals to the world as to how clean and green you are, how about you bring back the paper towels and share the story on where it comes from,' Mr Head suggested. He added that paper towels are superior for hygiene.
His post attracted hundreds of comments, with many travellers agreeing. One commenter noted: 'Hand dryers use a lot of electricity… paper towel is recyclable, compostable, and are more hygienic.' Another questioned the logic for air travel, asking: 'You want 280 passengers boarding planes with hands air dryer clean or paper towel clean?'
Traveller Complaints and Supportive Voices
The debate took a practical turn when another disgruntled passenger shared an image claiming they were unable to dry their hands at the Sydney Qantas Club because a hand dryer was out of order.
However, not all feedback was negative. Some social media users defended Qantas's environmental stance. One supporter commented: 'It's actually very sensible. Good decision I think. Toilet paper goes down the toilet. Paper towels go in the bin, and are biohazard waste and must be treated as such.' They suggested that critics were the ones virtue signalling and proposed alternatives like bringing a personal hand towel.
The incident highlights the complex balance companies face between implementing genuine environmental policies, managing operational costs, and meeting customer expectations for convenience and hygiene.
