Why are paper receipts harmful?

 “Paper Receipts”, is something we don’t really give any second thoughts to, however at the same time, it is one of those things we as users interact with daily.

Despite all the efforts and resources put in handling the receipts, most receipts go straight to garbage bins. It is not hard to spot people crumpling or throwing away their receipts upon receiving them.

Every year, billions of paper receipts are wasted in the United Kingdom alone. These receipts are NOT recyclable, because they are produced on thermal paper, coated with bisphenol A (BPA).

In the United Kingdom alone it is estimated that restaurants print 811,000,000 bills and card receipts each year. That’s 10.3 pieces of thermal paper for every man, woman, and child. (Just from restaurants).

In order to produce these receipts, millions of gallons of water, millions of trees, and millions of gallons of oil are required.

What are digital receipts?

Online or digital receipts are not just an option anymore. This is becoming more popular especially today that we are more focused on environmental issues and how we can help to save our Mother Earth. Paperless campaigns are being practised which prove to be more beneficial not just in nature but also in saving cost, time, and effort to any kind of business.

From 2001 to 2019, a total of 386 million hectares of forest were lost globally (in all forest types combined). This loss represents an almost 10 % decrease in tree cover since 2000. – www.theworldcounts.com

Receipts are by far the most generated piece of paper which can contain personal details, yet by far the most ignored. If you are wondering, why we even have receipts when they are so often ignored. Well, it is because receipts are important, and not just in the way to claim a refund or exchange, but to also keep track of your expenses and maintain a log of your activities.

The solution is digital receipts. With digital receipts, you do not have to worry about their safekeeping anymore. A digital receipt, or e-receipt, is a proof of purchase issued through email or text.  Retailers are starting to use digital receipts because of their business benefits and some customers prefer them over traditional paper receipts.