Receipts are important. They’re collected for tax purposes, employer reimbursements, balancing checkbooks, among other purposes. Some point of service systems print receipts automatically, such as self-checkouts that you would find in many a big-box store across the world.
Have you thought about the paper that they are made with?
The great majority of cash registers use thermal printers for receipts, often because these types of printers do not require ink or ribbon. Thermal paper is different from other office paper in that it is not as easily recycled. Some places are not even able to recycle this paper.
The blog of POS Supply Solutions notes that receipt paper is technically still recyclable as it is a fiber-based paper product. It can be recycled in the “mixed office paper” category of local recycling programs, if available. It should not be put in regular recycling.
The primary reason for this is because most types of thermal receipt paper contains BPA and Phenol chemicals. These chemicals are used because they will change colors in reaction to heat. This also is the reason that this type of paper is shiny and has a plastic feel.
If put into the regular recycling stream, this chemical can show up in other products, such as shopping bags or even toilet paper.
While the FDA has, in the past, said that BPA is safe in small amounts, even they are starting to express ‘some concern’ over possible effects of this chemical. While we don’t know for certain what effects BPA can have on the body, animal studies have demonstrated that BPA may disrupt the endocrine system, altering hormones and could potentially be harmful to babies and fetuses.
When it comes time to dispose of these receipts, it is safer to bag these receipts up securely and place them in the trash.
BPA-free receipt paper has started to enter the market, but email or text message receipts may be a better option. Some bank phone apps allow for notifications when your card is used, and when you use mobile payment apps, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, these apps will notify you of the transactions.
Remember, not everything is as recyclable as they might seem. It might be worth to do some looking before you choose the bin to place something in.
Sources:
“Thermal Paper: Is It Recyclable?” POS Supply Solutions Blog https://www.possupply.com/is-thermal-paper-recyclable
“Hey Mr. Green! Should receipts be recycled?” Sierra Club https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2017-2-march-april/ask-mr-green/hey-mr-green-should-receipts-be-recycled
“Recycling thermal cash register receipts contaminates paper products with BPA” American Chemical Society https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2011/acs-presspac-november-30-2011/recycling-thermal-cash-register-receipts-contaminates-paper-products-with-bpa.html
“Green Libraries: Paper Use and Recycling” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Libraries http://guides.library.illinois.edu/green-libraries/purchasing/paper
BPA Effect Sources:
WebMD https://www.webmd.com/children/bpa#1
Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221205.php
The Mill Review 