Back-to-School Ready: Elevating Hygiene and Efficiency in K-12 Schools

May 28, 2026   |   Tork

As schools prepare for a new academic year, maintaining safe, healthy environments is more important than ever. Administrators and custodial teams are under increasing pressure to improve hygiene standards while managing tight budgets, limited labor, and high student traffic.

With the right hygiene solutions in place, schools can reduce illness, improve efficiency, and create better learning environments for students and staff alike.

Why Hygiene Matters in Schools

Hygiene has a direct impact on student health, attendance, and overall experience.

  • 81% of students are concerned about becoming ill due to poor hygiene
  • Practicing proper hand hygiene can lead to:
    • 51% fewer colds and flu cases
    • 24% fewer stomach-related illnesses

The result is fewer sick days, improved attendance, and a more productive learning environment.

Common Challenges Schools Face

Despite the importance of hygiene, many schools struggle with:

  • Product overuse and waste
  • Frequent refilling and maintenance
  • Inconsistent hygiene practices
  • Limited custodial resources

Outdated systems—such as open napkin baskets or manual towel dispensers—can make these challenges even more difficult to manage.

Real Schools, Real Results

Across the country, school districts are already seeing measurable improvements by upgrading their hygiene systems.

Cafeterias: Reducing Waste While Improving Hygiene

At a school district in Southeast Michigan, students were taking excessive napkins from open baskets—leading to waste and constant cleanup.

After switching to Tork Xpressnap® napkin systems:

  • Napkin usage dropped by 25% across the district
  • One-at-a-time dispensing reduced overuse and litter
  • Students only touched the napkin they used, improving hygiene

Restrooms: Improving Hygiene and Reducing Consumption

At a K-12 district in upstate New York, shared restroom touchpoints were a concern for germ transmission.

After installing Tork Matic® touch-free towel dispensers across more than 600 locations:

  • Cross-contamination from shared surfaces virtually eliminated
  • Teachers and nurses reported strong positive feedback
  • Paper towel usage dropped by at least one-third

High-capacity systems also reduced refill frequency, saving valuable time for maintenance staff.

District-Wide Efficiency: Lower Costs and Cleaner Facilities

At a regional school district in Alberta, Canada, leaders sought to improve both efficiency and cleanliness.

After transitioning to updated hygiene solutions:

  • Realized a 15% savings on paper towels and 10% on soap
  • Saw cleaner restrooms due to improved soap systems

Reduced maintenance time with high-capacity dispensers

Where These Solutions Make the Biggest Impact

Restrooms

  • High-capacity hand towel systems like Tork Matic® and PeakServe®
  • Coreless toilet paper systems to reduce waste
  • Soap and sanitizer dispensers for consistent hygiene

Cafeterias

  • Tork Xpressnap® for controlled napkin dispensing
  • Wiping solutions for food prep and cleanup

Classrooms & Common Areas

  • Surface cleaning systems like Everwipe® by Tork
  • Portable solutions for flexible cleaning routines

Start the School Year Strong

A cleaner school is a healthier, more efficient school.

With the right hygiene systems in place, districts can reduce illness, streamline operations, and create a better environment for learning.

Now is the time to help your customers prepare for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient school year.

Return to Industry Insights Blog