Don’t Worry About Disposing of CVS Receipts
Back in 2018, Vox reporter Rachel Sugar investigated the reason behind those pesky long receipts you get from CVS stores. As it turned out, this was not an accident; according to the statement, the pharmacy deliberately prints out lengthy receipts to show shoppers “what they have earned or what savings they can use,” which apparently requires a few feet of explanation on paper.
Here’s another possible piece of news for you (and most of the Lifehacker headquarters staff): These receipts are probably not recyclable either. Many pharmacy paper receipts are made from thermal paper. It is a glossy paper that allows printing through heat transfer rather than ink, as Recycle Bank writes . The problem, however, is that thermal paper is often coated with bisphenol A or BPA, a chemical in the form of estradiol, such as estrogen.
Without delving into the scientific explanation, its resemblance to estrogen is problematic; too much estrogen can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer or even affect embryonic development. ( Another problem is that it is not known how much BPA is enough to be considered harmful.) As a result of growing concerns about BPA , New York City lawmakers have even proposed banning paper receipts.
With all of these concerns, recyclers naturally don’t look so fondly at paper receipts, although some warehouse receipts are recyclable and compostable. The difference between thermal paper and regular paper, according to Recycle Nation , is that thermal paper has a sleek, glossy look and most of the receipts you are likely to come across fall into the latter category. (To make it easier for you, CVS stores receipts on thermal paper like many other drug / pharmacy retailers.)
It also just depends on your local recycling program. What works in New York may not be acceptable in Boise, Idaho, for example. If in doubt, check with your local recycler or search the Internet for your curbside program rules to see if they accept paper receipts.
And if you’re wondering how to curb your CVS habit, here’s a trick : sign up for their Online ExtraCare program and select their digital coupon and receipt options. In the future, you will not receive another printed receipt, so you can avoid them accumulating in the trash can.