The question and confusion of 'sustainability'

The sign in the loo at the Cooroy library.

Sustainability is one of those words that can be twisted and used to fill almost any void, make it impossible to argue the illegible and frequently postures arguments that defy both reason and logic.

A sign in the public loos at the Cooroy library is just one such moment.

The toilets in the new near building were originally equipped with paper towel dispensers, but now, in the name of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, desiring to become more sustainable, the paper towel is gone to be replaced by an electric hand dryer.

Those who understand public health argue that a clean paper towel is actually more hygienic and an electric hand dryer for the wiping motion plays a significant role in riding a person’s hands of germs.

Beyond that, and ignoring health for a moment, what is more sustainable, using paper towels or burning coal to create the power to drive the electric hand-dryer?

Of course, maybe the library has solar power and that would obviously make the electric hand-dryer for more sustainable, hands-down.