The life journey of an average receipt

The challenge

From 2019 to 2020 an estimated 10.656 billion receipts were printed in Australia – accounting for around 150,462 trees, 1.562 billion litres of water, 96,277 metric tonnes of carbon emissions and 104.746 million KWH energy use. Despite these alarming statistics, receipts continue to be utilised globally to facilitate, and provide record of, the payment systems that are foundational for a functioning economy and society. However, with the increasing digital nature of payment services, receipts are seeing a shift from the use of paper-based materials (such as thermal paper) to digital services. This study is the first to explore the critical gap between thermal paper pollution and environmental health; outlining the positive and negative social, ecological and economic impacts to quantify the immediate effects of an average digital vs paper receipt.

Solution

In partnership with Slyp, an Australian digital receipt provider, and with support from the Innovation Connections Funding scheme, UTS Business School researchers conducted a mixed method study. To understand the social and ecological impact of payment systems and sustainable supply chains, an academic and grey literature review was undertaken. This was supported by supply chain mapping for both paper and digital receipts – gaining validation through expert and stakeholder interviews.

Putting theories into practice, the team conducted input-output analysis and scenarios, as well as a [world first] microcosm experiment to determine the interactive impacts of thermal receipts at their end of life (disposal in ecosystems). In this experiment the team sampled four ecosystems: freshwater aquatic, oceanic, bushland, and landfill. For the final component, the team conducted a consumer survey on point-of-sale and post-consumer preferences for digital and paper receipts.

Outcome and impact

The research identified that digital receipts - as against paper receipts - has substantially less environmental impact in terms of resource consumption and carbon emissions. Further, the project findings revealed great difficulty in accessing data and information about the ecological impacts in the paper receipt supply chain. The research has potential for regulatory impact – supporting more transparency within the supply chain, and an ability to inform business procurement about thermal paper roll decisions. In addition, the certification of imported thermal paper could be mandated to include product content labelling and the disclosure of GHG emissions in the supply chain.

Overall, the research found a system in transition that is best conceptualised as a hybrid of digital and paper receipting services. The receipting service system would be improved if circular solutions were in place to close the loop on waste (e-waste and paper); eliminate the toxicity of paper receipts; and improve eco-efficiencies across all processes.