For businesses looking to make their washrooms more sustainable without compromising on performance, it's another welcome development from one of the world's best-known hand dryer manufacturers.

Announced in August 2026, the new cover replaces the previous white Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) option with a high-performance thermoplastic nylon material. As well as being fully recyclable, the upgraded cover offers improved resistance to graffiti, UV exposure, dirt build-up and everyday wear.

It's a relatively simple change, but one that could make a real difference to the long-term maintenance and environmental impact of commercial washroom facilities.

What's New About the XLERATOR Hand Dryer Cover?

The biggest development is the introduction of a 100% recyclable white nylon cover, now the standard white cover option for newly manufactured XLERATOR and XLERATOReco hand dryers.

The new material has been specifically developed for demanding, high-traffic environments where equipment needs to withstand frequent use and occasional misuse.

Key improvements include:

• 100% recyclable nylon construction – supporting more responsible end-of-life material management.
• Improved graffiti resistance – helping protect hand dryers against vandalism and unwanted markings.
• Greater UV resistance – reducing the risk of yellowing and discolouration over time.
• Resistance to dirt build-up – helping maintain a cleaner, more presentable appearance.
• Enhanced durability – designed to withstand everyday wear in busy commercial settings.
• Fire-retardant properties – suitable for demanding commercial washroom applications.

For schools, universities, leisure centres, shopping centres, motorway services and other high-footfall premises, these improvements could mean less time spent maintaining hand dryer covers and fewer replacement parts over the product's working life.

Importantly, the 100% recyclable claim applies to the new white nylon cover, rather than the entire hand dryer. Recycling options will depend on local facilities and the way the material is processed at the end of its life.

Why Does a Recyclable Hand Dryer Cover Matter?

When we think about environmentally friendly hand dryers, energy consumption is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

And rightly so. Choosing a low-energy hand dryer can help businesses reduce electricity usage and running costs.

However, genuine sustainability goes beyond the amount of power a dryer uses.

The materials used in manufacturing, how long a product lasts, its maintenance requirements and what happens to its components at the end of their useful life all contribute to its overall environmental impact.

By introducing a recyclable nylon cover, Excel Dryer is addressing another part of that equation.

For UK businesses working towards sustainability targets, reducing waste and choosing longer-lasting washroom equipment can be just as important as improving energy efficiency.

The new cover offers a practical combination of recyclability, durability and reduced maintenance requirements – three considerations that matter when specifying commercial washroom equipment.

Built for the Realities of Busy UK Washrooms

Anyone responsible for maintaining public or commercial toilets will know that hand dryers can take a fair amount of punishment.

From constant daily use to accidental knocks, graffiti and general wear and tear, washroom equipment needs to be robust.

A hand dryer that looks tired or damaged can also affect visitors' perceptions of the cleanliness and quality of the facilities.

Excel Dryer's new nylon cover has been designed with these challenges in mind.

Its improved resistance to graffiti and dirt build-up may make routine cleaning easier, while UV protection helps the white finish maintain its appearance over time.

For facilities managers, this could translate into fewer cosmetic maintenance issues, reduced replacement costs and a washroom that continues to look professional for longer.

Of course, actual maintenance savings will depend on the environment, frequency of use and cleaning regime.

XLERATOReco: Low-Energy Hand Drying with Sustainability in Mind

The new recyclable cover is particularly relevant to the XLERATOReco, Excel Dryer's ultra-low-energy hand dryer.

Designed to deliver high-speed hand drying without a conventional heating element, the XLERATOReco operates at just 500 watts.

Rather than relying on heated air, it uses powerful airflow to remove moisture from hands, helping to keep electricity consumption low.

The XLERATOReco model listed at ehanddryers.com offers:

• Ultra-low 500W power consumption.
• High-speed drying, with a published specification of approximately 13–15 seconds.
• No heating element.
• Powerful 20,000rpm motor.
• Optional HEPA filtration.
• Seven-year manufacturer's warranty.

For businesses operating busy washrooms, the combination of low energy consumption and a durable exterior makes the XLERATOReco worth considering.

And with the introduction of the recyclable white nylon cover, newly manufactured white-cover models now benefit from an additional sustainability-focused improvement.

Explore the XLERATOReco 500W Low-Energy Hand Dryer

What About the Original XLERATOR Hand Dryer?

The original XLERATOR remains a popular choice for commercial washrooms where fast drying performance, reliability and adjustable settings are priorities.

The XLERATOR 1400W Adjustable Hand Dryer combines powerful airflow with adjustable heat and power settings, allowing the dryer to be configured to suit different washroom requirements.

Key features include:

• Fast hand drying in approximately 10–12 seconds.
• Adjustable power consumption, from approximately 500W to 1400W.
• Adjustable heating element.
• High-speed 20,000rpm motor.
• Optional HEPA filtration.
• Seven-year manufacturer's warranty.

The new recyclable nylon cover brings an additional benefit to the white-cover version, complementing the XLERATOR's established performance and durability.

For locations where both rapid drying and long-term reliability matter, it remains a strong option.

View the XLERATOR 1400W Adjustable Hand Dryer

Are XLERATOR Hand Dryers Better for the Environment Than Paper Towels?

Environmental impact is an increasingly important consideration when choosing between electric hand dryers and paper towels.

Excel Dryer has published life cycle assessment (LCA) research examining the environmental impact of its hand dryers compared with paper towels.

Unlike comparisons based solely on electricity usage, a life cycle assessment considers environmental impacts across different stages of a product's life, including manufacturing, operation and disposal.

According to the comparative results published by Excel Dryer, its hand dryers demonstrated:

• 83% lower global warming potential compared with paper towels containing no recycled content.
• 81% lower global warming potential compared with paper towels made from 100% recycled content.

These are findings from Excel Dryer's published assessment, rather than universal figures applicable to every hand dryer or washroom.

Actual environmental performance will vary depending on the dryer model, electricity supply, usage patterns and the paper towel system being compared.

Nevertheless, the findings demonstrate why energy-efficient electric hand dryers can be an attractive option for organisations looking to reduce the environmental impact of their washrooms.

There are practical considerations too. Electric hand dryers eliminate the need for a continuous supply of disposable paper towels, helping reduce consumable purchasing, storage requirements and paper towel waste.

The addition of a recyclable cover further strengthens Excel Dryer's approach to more sustainable product design.

Choosing a Sustainable Hand Dryer for Your Business

If you're upgrading a commercial washroom or specifying equipment for a new development, there are several factors worth considering.

• Energy consumption: A low-wattage hand dryer can help reduce electricity usage, particularly in busy washrooms with frequent daily use.
• Durability: Robust construction and resistance to damage can help minimise maintenance and extend the product's useful working life.
• Drying performance: Fast, effective drying is important for visitor convenience and helps prevent queues in high-footfall facilities.
• Environmental credentials: Look beyond headline energy ratings and consider material recyclability, product longevity and published environmental assessments.
• Running costs: Factor in electricity consumption, servicing, replacement components and consumables when assessing the total cost of ownership.

Both the XLERATOR and XLERATOReco offer a combination of high-speed performance and commercial-grade construction, with the new white nylon cover providing an additional advantage for customers prioritising sustainability and durability.

A Positive Step Towards More Sustainable Commercial Washrooms

Excel Dryer's introduction of a 100% recyclable nylon cover is a useful example of how established hand dryer technology can continue to evolve.

Rather than focusing solely on energy efficiency, the manufacturer is also considering product materials, durability and long-term maintenance.

For UK businesses, facilities managers and building specifiers, these improvements offer another reason to consider XLERATOR hand dryers when planning a washroom refurbishment or new installation.

The combination of high-speed drying, low-energy options and improved cover durability makes the XLERATOR range a compelling choice for commercial environments.

Discover Excel Hand Dryers at ehanddryers.com

At ehanddryers.com, we supply a range of commercial hand dryers for businesses, schools, offices, hospitality venues and public facilities throughout the UK.

Whether you're looking for an ultra-low-energy hand dryer, a high-performance model for a busy washroom or advice on choosing the right equipment, our range of Excel hand dryers offers options to suit different requirements.

Browse our full range of Excel Hand Dryers

Alternatively, contact our team for help choosing the most suitable hand dryer for your project and to confirm availability of the latest recyclable cover options.