American landmark’s new train of thought: Grand Central on the fast track to sustainability

July 19, 2017

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Spanning 48 acres in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central Terminal hosts approximately 750,000 visitors daily, 10,000 of which are lunchtime diners. In addition to housing 68 shops and 35 restaurants, the iconic landmark offers opportunities for tours, special events and entertainment throughout the year. Esteemed for its Beaux–Arts architecture, the high–profile venue also holds another distinction: busiest train station in the country.

An area receiving particular attention were the restrooms throughout the facility. Originally outfitted with paper towel dispensers, restroom floors were often strewn with errant waste, and the sinks and toilets, clogged with improperly disposed of paper towels, despite routine cleaning and maintenance. To eliminate these problems and other issues associated with paper towels like the inherent labor, maintenance and waste, hand dryers were considered as a sustainable solution. An added challenge, however, was finding a product that could meet performance needs without compromising the integrity of the original architecture.

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