Receipt paper is everywhere—found at checkout counters, ATMs, grocery stores, and restaurants. But with increasing awareness about sustainability, more consumers and businesses are asking the same important question: Is receipt paper recyclable? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems. While receipts may look like standard paper, many are made from thermal paper, which is coated with chemicals like BPA or BPS. These coatings help print without ink—but they also make recycling difficult. In this guide, we’ll break down what makes some receipt paper non-recyclable and explore smarter, eco-friendly alternatives for businesses committed to sustainability.

This guide explores the recyclability of receipt paper, the challenges of thermal coatings, and the eco-friendly alternatives available for today’s POS hardware and systems.

Not all receipt paper can be tossed into the recycling bin. Depending on the material and coatings used, some are recyclable while others are not. Understanding the differences between standard and thermal receipt paper is essential for making eco-conscious decisions in both business operations and everyday purchases.

Standard Paper Receipts

• If a receipt is printed on standard, non-coated paper, it can usually be recycled with other paper products. These are less common in modern POS systems but may still be used by certain businesses.

Thermal Receipt Paper

• Most receipts today are printed on thermal paper, which is heat-sensitive and does not require ink.
• Unfortunately, this type of paper often contains chemical coatings such as BPA (Bisphenol A) or BPS (Bisphenol S)—substances that render the paper non-recyclable in most cases.

How to Identify Thermal Paper

• To identify thermal paper, gently scratch the surface with a coin or metal object. If a dark mark appears, it’s thermal paper reacting to heat—indicating it’s chemically coated and non-recyclable.
• Thermal receipt paper often has a glossy, smooth surface that feels different from regular paper. This slick texture reveals the presence of a chemical coating used for heat-sensitive printing processes.

Thermal receipts may seem harmless, but their chemical coatings make them difficult to recycle, posing challenges for waste management and increasing environmental impact if not disposed of properly.

Contains BPA/BPS Chemicals

• Thermal paper often contains BPA or BPS—chemicals classified as environmental toxins. These substances contaminate recycled paper batches, making them unusable and potentially harmful to both recycling systems and ecosystems.

Coated with Non-Recyclable Chemicals

• Unlike standard paper, thermal receipts are coated with a special layer that reacts to heat. This chemical coating resists breakdown in traditional recycling, rendering the paper unsuitable for reuse.

Rejected by Most Recycling Programs

• Because of contamination risks and chemical concerns, many municipal and private recycling centers refuse thermal receipts. Accepting them could compromise the quality of otherwise recyclable paper products.

More businesses focused on sustainability are now shifting away from traditional thermal receipts. Below are some of the best eco-friendly alternatives available to reduce paper waste and environmental impact.

BPA/BPS-Free Thermal Paper

• Some manufacturers now offer eco-friendly thermal paper that is free from BPA and BPS.
• These alternatives are more recyclable and safer for handling, especially in F&B and retail environments.
• However, they may still have limitations depending on local recycling guidelines

Digital Receipts (Email or SMS)

• Email and SMS receipts are one of the most sustainable alternatives.
• Many POS systems now allow digital receipt options to reduce paper waste.
• Digital receipts also improve customer convenience by making records easier to store and access.

Reusable e-Ink Display Receipts

• Some innovative retailers are experimenting with e-ink screens to show receipt details at checkout.
• These paperless, reusable displays reduce the need for printed receipts altogether.
• While not yet widespread, this solution signals a shift toward sustainable POS hardware and technology.

Proper disposal of receipt paper depends on its type. While BPA-free paper may be recyclable, thermal paper with chemical coatings should be discarded in regular trash to avoid contamination.

• BPA/BPS-Free Receipts
  If your receipts are labeled BPA- or BPS-free, you can recycle them with standard office or copy paper—provided your local recycling facility accepts them.
• Thermal Paper
  Do not place thermal receipts in recycling bins. Dispose of them in regular trash to prevent contamination of recyclable materials.
• Avoid Composting
  Thermal paper contains chemicals that can leach into the soil, making it unsuitable for composting.

While it’s tempting to toss every receipt into the recycling bin, most thermal receipt paper is not recyclable due to its chemical coating. BPA and BPS present in thermal paper not only contaminate the recycling stream but also pose risks to health and the environment.

Businesses and consumers alike have a role to play in reducing paper waste. Whether by switching to digital receipts, adopting BPA/BPS-free alternatives, or choosing sustainable POS hardware, even small changes can have a big environmental impact. Ready to modernize your point-of-sale system with eco-friendly solutions? Explore paperless options and certified BPA-free thermal paper with Condor POS Solutions—your partner in smarter, greener transactions.