How can paper receipts be harmful?
Most paper receipts are printed on thermal paper, which contains bisphenol A (BPA) or a potentially harmful BPA alternative. To check if it’s thermal paper, scratch the receipt with your fingernail or leave it in the sun. If it turns dark, it likely has these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). When we touch these receipts, BPA can be absorbed into our bodies and disrupt our hormones. Learn more about EDC exposure through receipts.
How can we reduce our exposure?
- Tell the cashier that you don’t want a receipt when it is unnecessary.
- If you need a receipt, choose to have it emailed or texted to you, when possible. This still allows you to manage returns and exchanges.
- Don't handle receipts with bare hands. Wear gloves if you have to touch them for work.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling receipts.
- Ask the cashier to place the receipt directly into your shopping bag.
Learn more about this campaign and the study that inspired it.
