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Are recycled paper towels a good choice for restaurants? Yes, recycled paper towels offer restaurants a high-quality and economical solution, especially in work areas away from direct guest contact. For luxury restaurants and spaces where a premium impression takes priority, paper towels made from 100% cellulose remain the better choice because they offer greater softness and absorbency.
According to a scientific review published in BioResources, virgin fibers are more flexible and produce stronger, softer tissue paper, while recycled fibers are stiffer and have a lower bonding capacity, resulting in a slightly weaker and less soft product.
Read about the difference between paper towels made from 100% cellulose and recycled paper towels in terms of absorption and sustainability on our blog: Paper towels in commercial facilities: Everything you need to know about types, savings, and hygiene.
What are the advantages of recycled paper towels?
- Have a lower purchase price
- Contain secondary fibers and reduce the need for primary cellulose fibers
- and visibly demonstrate a restaurant’s environmental responsibility
Guests increasingly recognize this as something valuable. High-quality recycled paper towels undergo purification processes and, when supplied with a verified manufacturer certificate, provide a safe and functional solution for everyday use.
What are the disadvantages of recycled paper towels in restaurants?
Recycled paper towels contain shorter and weaker fibers, which reduce their softness and absorbency compared with pure cellulose paper towels. This difference becomes more pronounced in single-ply products, so guests often use more sheets each time, partially offsetting the initial price savings through higher consumption.
Why are paper towels made from 100% cellulose a better choice for luxury restaurants?
Paper towels made from 100% cellulose contain longer and stronger fibers that provide greater softness, better absorbency, and tear resistance, directly contributing to the impression of premium service. In luxury restaurants, where guests expect exceptional attention to detail, this difference in paper towel quality visibly affects their overall experience of the establishment.
Not sure which type of paper towel best suits your restaurant? Tell us what impression you want to make on your guests, and we will recommend a solution that combines quality with your budget.
Which areas of a restaurant are best suited to recycled paper towels?
Recycled paper towels work very well in restaurant kitchens and work areas, where functionality and durability take priority and visual appearance is not important. Restaurants use paper towels made from 100% cellulose in restrooms for both guests and staff, while they should use napkins made from 100% cellulose on dining tables because these areas directly influence how guests perceive the establishment’s quality and hygiene.
When should you choose recycled paper towels, and when should you choose cellulose paper towels in a restaurant?
Choose recycled paper towels when functionality, cost-effective purchasing, and the use of secondary fibers take priority, especially in restaurant work areas. Paper towels made from 100% cellulose make more sense where softness, appearance, and the guest experience matter more. For many restaurants, the best solution does not involve choosing one material but combining both according to how each area functions.
Table: Recycled paper towels vs. paper towels made from 100% cellulose for restaurants
| Criterion | Recycled paper towels | Paper towels made from 100% cellulose |
| Price per pack | Lower | Higher |
| Softness | Good, slightly lower than cellulose | Exceptional |
| Absorbency | Good, depending on the number of plies | Very high |
| Recommended use | kitchens, work areas | luxury restaurants |
Recommended products
- Recycled two-ply paper towel roll and Large paper towel dispenser
- Autocut paper towels made from 100% cellulose and Autocut paper towel dispenser
Can I combine recycled and cellulose paper towels in the same restaurant?
Yes, many restaurants combine both types of paper towels depending on the area. They often use paper towels made from 100% cellulose in guest restrooms, where softness and visual appeal matter, while recycled paper towels cover kitchens and work areas outside guests’ view. This combination allows restaurants to optimize costs without compromising quality where guests notice it most.
Are recycled paper towels safe to use in restaurants?
High-quality recycled paper towels from a verified manufacturer, supported by the appropriate certificates, provide a safe solution for restaurant restrooms and work areas. The production process and quality control largely determine safety, so buyers should check product documentation instead of choosing solely based on the lowest price.
Can I visually distinguish between recycled and cellulose paper towels?
Recycled paper towels often have a slightly rougher texture, while cellulose paper towels usually feel softer and have a denser structure. Color alone does not reliably indicate the material’s origin because it depends on the raw material and processing, but differences in texture and density are easier to see and feel
Are recycled paper towels a good choice for restaurants?- FAQ
Can recycled paper towels come into direct contact with food?
The origin of the fibers alone does not determine whether paper towels are suitable for direct contact with food. Restaurant kitchens should check the declaration and documentation for the specific product and use it only for purposes that the manufacturer has confirmed meet the relevant requirements.
Do recycled paper towels really cost less when you take consumption into account?
A lower price per pack does not automatically mean a lower cost per use. If the paper towel absorbs less or tears more easily when wet, users may need more sheets for a single drying or wiping task. Restaurants should therefore compare the price with the number of sheets, absorbency, and average consumption per use.
Can recycled paper towels be used in a dispenser designed for cellulose paper towels?
They can, but only if their dimensions, folding method, or roll format match the existing dispenser’s specifications. The origin of the fibers does not determine dispenser compatibility. The format, width, roll diameter, and dispensing method are the deciding factors. Before replacing cellulose paper towels with recycled ones, restaurants should therefore check the technical specifications of both products.
Do recycled paper towels have to be gray or brown?
No. Color alone does not reliably indicate the origin of the fibers. The appearance of recycled tissue paper depends on the composition of the raw material, the recycling process, and any additional treatment. Buyers should therefore check the product declaration and technical specifications instead of relying on the paper’s shade.
Not every area of a restaurant needs to use the same paper towel. The right choice should reflect the area’s purpose: functionality where staff work, a pleasant feel where guests use it, and controlled consumption in both cases. Recycled and cellulose paper towels are therefore not necessarily competitors and can provide two different solutions for the same restaurant.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter at LUU. She works with the sales and technical teams to prepare content about professional paper products, dispensers, and hygiene management in commercial facilities.
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