The Tork interfold napkin dispenser is reducing napkin consumption at the Munich Students’ Union cafeterias by a third.

The dispenser is designed to dispense napkins one at a time, unlike traditional dispensers that often dispense them in handfuls. Despite generating less waste and reducing over-consumption, the Tork interfold napkin system also prevents the problem of napkins running out during busy service periods.

“Up till now, the napkins would often run out when the queue at the till was at its longest and the cashiers had absolutely no time to refill the dispensers,” says purchaser at Munich Students’ Union Emil Harrant.  “Thanks to the new napkin dispenser this problem has been resolved.”

The one-at-a-time dispensing and the dispenser's design make it easy to pull a napkin out with one hand while balancing a tray of food with the other, explains Emil. The fact that napkins are dispensed individually is a hygiene advantage since each napkin is touched only by the diner. But the main advantage is reduced napkin consumption at the Students’ Union, which serves around 2.6 million meals every year and previously used up to eight million napkins.

“We are now throwing away fewer unused napkins and using almost three million fewer napkins per year,” says Emil. “Due to the improved quality the new napkins are slightly more expensive, but the system will quickly pay for itself.”

The fact that the high-capacity dispensers each hold up to 900 napkins prevents the need to refill them during the rush hour which helps keep queues short, explains Emil. And the advertising space on the dispensers is useful for making a variety of announcements to students, from special deals on food to application deadlines for student loans.

A total of 35 Tork Interfold napkin dispensers are used in the six Students’ Union canteens. “Our aim is to only use one napkin from one dispenser and from one manufacturer in the future,” says Emil.

Munich Students’ Union is now using the Tork Advanced 420 blue wiper rolls in its kitchens as well. Each 510 metre provides 1.500 all-purpose wipers, which are used on surfaces, objects and hands.