Deciding whether to recycle cash register receipts confuses many households, often leading to incorrect disposal. Understanding the composition of these receipts is important for maintaining the integrity of the recycling stream. Proper sorting prevents contamination, which can render large batches of otherwise recyclable material unusable.
Why Most Receipts Are Not Recyclable
Most receipts today are printed on a specialized material known as thermal paper. This paper is distinct from standard office paper because it does not use traditional ink to display information. Instead, the paper is coated with a chemical mixture that reacts to heat from the printer head, causing the text and numbers to appear.
This chemical coating is the primary reason thermal paper is incompatible with standard paper recycling processes. When paper is recycled, it is mixed with water and broken down into a pulp, but the chemical layer on thermal paper cannot be separated from the paper fibers. The presence of this non-paper coating means the material is not accepted by most municipal recycling facilities.
Attempting to recycle thermal receipts introduces a foreign substance into the paper slurry, which compromises the quality of the resulting recycled product. The coating prevents it from being reprocessed into new paper products. If you are unsure whether a receipt is thermal, scratch the surface with a coin or fingernail; if a dark mark appears, it is thermal paper and should not be recycled.
The Role of BPA and BPS in Contamination
The chemical coating on thermal paper contains compounds like Bisphenol A (BPA) or its common substitute, Bisphenol S (BPS). These substances are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems. When thermal paper enters the recycling system, these chemicals leach out during the pulping process.
The bisphenols then spread throughout the batch of paper pulp, contaminating all the recycled fibers. This contamination means that new products made from that recycled material may contain trace amounts of BPA or BPS. Studies have shown that products made with recycled content can have higher concentrations of these chemicals than those made from virgin paper fibers.
The widespread use of thermal paper means that a substantial amount of bisphenols is introduced into the waste stream annually. While some manufacturers have switched from BPA to BPS, the substitute has also been shown to exhibit similar hormone-mimicking effects. This chemical transfer poses a concern for individuals who handle receipts frequently, such as retail workers, who have been found to have higher levels of these compounds in their bodies.
Safe Disposal and Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Given the chemical composition and the risk of contamination, the proper disposal method for cash register receipts is the trash bin. Placing thermal receipts in the trash prevents the bisphenols from entering the recycling loop and contaminating other materials. This is the most responsible action for protecting the recycling infrastructure.
Some older or specialized receipts, typically those printed with blue or black ink on standard, non-shiny paper, may be recyclable. However, because thermal paper is so common, the safest default is to dispose of all receipts in the trash unless your local waste authority explicitly states otherwise. This simple rule minimizes the risk of introducing chemical contaminants into the recycling process.
Consumers can choose to reduce their reliance on physical receipts by opting for digital alternatives. Many retailers now offer the option to receive receipts via email or through a mobile application, eliminating the need for paper. Furthermore, some businesses are transitioning to phenol-free thermal paper, which uses alternative developers like Vitamin C or Pergafast, making the receipts non-toxic and often recyclable.