Receipts & Thermal Paper Recycling Explained (2024)
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Can you recycle receipts? After all, they are made from paper, so they have to be recyclable, right? After my research, I found that it is a bit more complicated than I thought.
Here is why you cannot recycle receipts –
Most receipts are not recyclable nor compostable, so you have to throw them away, since they are printed on thermal paper, which resists decomposition, and it is toxic because it contains BPA.
Let’s dive in a bit deeper, and observe a few essential questions.
Table of Contents
Why Receipts Aren’t Recyclable
Receipts are printed on thermal paper and are not recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable due to the chemicals used on them. To dispose of receipts, throw them in your non-recyclable trash.
What is thermal paper?
Thermal paper is a specialized fine paper coated with chemicals, like BPA, that changes color when exposed to heat, eliminating the need for ink. Most receipts are printed on this paper, but thermal paper is used everywhere:
- credit card machines or ATMs
- airline boarding passes and luggage tags
- movie tickets or parking tickets
- prescription labels
- supermarket food labels
- cash registers
What is BPA?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical commonly used in manufacturing plastics and thermal papers. BPA is an endocrine disruptor linked to various health risks.
It can be transferred through skin contact, making it a concern for those handling receipts regularly, and studies, like this one, point out that BPA can cause harm to our bodies, and that:
- BPA can enter the skin to a depth such that it is no longer removable by washing hands.
- When taking hold of a receipt consisting of thermal printing paper for five seconds, roughly 1 μg BPA is transferred to the forefinger and the middle finger. If the skin is dry or greasy, it is about ten times more.
- People who are exposed to thermal printer paper for around ten hours per day, like cash registers, could reach 71 micrograms per day.
Source: Transfer of bisphenol A from thermal printer paper to the skin, Biedermann 2010
How to tell if the receipt has BPA?
If you scratch the printed side of the paper with a coin and it turns dark, it probably has BPA or a similar chemical. You can also try to burn a small part of the paper – if it turns black, it has something added. (check the image above)
Some receipts may claim to be “BPA-free,” but as a replacement, manufacturers frequently use another chemical coating called BPS (bisphenol S). BPS has very similar health hazards, and it is also transferred through your skin.
Environmental Impact of Thermal Paper
Contamination
When thermal paper receipts enter the recycling stream, they can contaminate recycled paper products like toilet paper, napkins, shopping bags, etc.
Release of BPA
Recycling or incinerating thermal paper can release BPA into the environment through sludge, wastewater, or atmospheric emissions. This contributes to environmental pollution and health hazards. Studies suggest that the burning of plastics that contain BPA releases a significant amount of BPA into the atmosphere.
Tips to Minimize Receipt Use
Self-check options
Use self-checkout machines where you can choose not to print a receipt.
Go digital
Opt for digital receipts whenever possible. Some shops offer the option to email receipts, reducing the need for paper ones.
Eco-friendly receipts
Some stores use recyclable and compostable receipts. These typically lack a glossy finish and are labeled accordingly. Verify with a coin scratch test; if it turns dark, it likely contains BPA.
Less frequent shopping
While doing research for this article, I found that every year, it is estimated that 9.6 million trees are cut down in the United States for receipts. Yikes! Plan your shopping trips to reduce the number of receipts you accumulate. Fewer trips mean fewer receipts.
Contact local recycling centers
Check with your local recycling center for specific rules on disposing of receipts. Some areas may have special programs for thermal paper.
For example, Belinda Mager from the New York City Department of Sanitation told me that they ACCEPT paper receipts in the curbside bin since their processor can handle this material.
Shop at farmer’s markets
Farmers’ markets often do not provide receipts, offering an easy way to avoid them altogether.
Conclusion
While it might seem like a minor issue, the production and disposal of receipts have significant environmental impacts.
Luckily, in January 2020, the European Commission’s restriction of BPA in the thermal paper came into effect. Their goal is to find better replacements that are sustainable and safe.
So, small changes and voicing the need to change things and find more sustainable alternatives can create a meaningful environmental impact.
How do you handle receipts, where you live? Tell me in the comments below!
Can you recycle receipts – infographic:
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I just tried buying BPA and BPS free thermal receipt paper for my bakery. I’m hoping that because they will likely end up in my compostibles bin, that will be better for the environment. However, I don’t know what chemicals they use instead and whether those are just as bad. Bought from POS Supply for about $25 more per case, yikes!