Most cash register receipts are thermal paper now a days. There’s no ink to replace in the till because the paper itself magically prints using the power of heat alone. Well, not quite. Bisphenol A (4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol) is used as a colour developer in thermal paper and according to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), Bisphenol A (BPA) may damage fertility, causes serious eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction and may cause respiratory irritation. Bisphenol A is on the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) and has been banned from use in thermal paper since January 2020.
In response to this, industry has sought to replace BPA with Bisphenol S (BPS). This is what EU REACH regulations are supposed to achieve; replacing dangerous chemicals with less harmful substitutes. BPS is under assessment for endocrine disrupting properties though, and when two substances are so structurally similar, it can be expected that their toxicological profile will be similar too. Information on BPS provided by some companies indicates that BPS may damage fertility or the unborn child, and some data shows BPS to cause eye irritation. That’s not too dissimilar to BPA and as more data is generated, we may reasonably expect to see BPS on the SVHC list too.
ECHA themselves have expressed concern about this particular substitution saying that their restriction of BPA in thermal paper will only reduce risks if industry chooses alternatives other than BPS. ECHA are currently evaluating the bisphenols as a group to establish a more comprehensive strategy concerning these chemicals. https://www.echa.europa.eu/-/bisphenol-s-has-replaced-bisphenol-a-in-thermal-paper
Electronic receipt systems or old fashioned ink-printing systems have their own environmental risk to characterise and for sure certain inks carry some human risk, but thermal papers cannot be recycled and the use of BPA and BPS has a known detriment to humans and the environment.
What can you do?
If you have a thermal printing till, change the settings to a receipt on request. Opt to download transaction data regularly and back up this data securely to reduce the need for internal print-outs. If you have the technology, think about emailing receipts if possible and if you’re investing in a till look for second-hand ink printers which produce receipts which can be recycled. Above anything though, make sure you are compliant with the restriction and demand your supplier shows evidence of their paper being BPA-free.
When presented with a need to substitute a chemical owing to human or environmental risk, the nearest substitution may not always be the best solution. Taking a few paces outside of today’s normal, looking to the past for inspiration and embracing new technology may all contribute to supporting ECHA in achieving their goal of reducing environmental and human risk through the restriction of dangerous chemicals.