The Issues with Paper Receipts
Environmental Impact
Each year in the US alone, producing paper receipts consumes:
- 12.4 billion trees are cut down - the equivalent of 3% of the Amazon Rainforest
- 21 billion gallons of fresh water are wasted - enough to support 92.7 million people
- 12 billion pounds of CO₂ is released - the same as running 1.2 million cars
- 1.3 billion kilowatts hours of energy - enough to power 200,000 homes
Health Indications
Approximately 86% of all paper receipts in the US are printed on thermal paper. Thermal paper is commonly used because it’s a faster and more cost-effective option for retailers, as it prints without ink. However, it’s coated with toxic chemicals like BPA and BPS, which can be absorbed through the skin with just 10 seconds of contact! Studies have linked these substances to a range of potential health concerns, including: hormone disruption, cognitive and developmental effects, reproductive issues, birth defects, increased cancer risk and immune system interference.
In May 2025 the CEH (Centre for Environmental Health ) filled Notices of Violation against 260 major retailers for violating California’s Proposition 65 with the levels of BPA and BPS in their receipts.
Our Solution
Paperfly App
Paperfly is a revolutionary startup eliminating the environmental waste and medical risks of thermal receipts. By replacing chemical-laden paper coated in endocrine disruptors like BPA and BPS with a seamless digital interface, Paperfly protects your health while drastically reducing your carbon footprint. Beyond its ecological impact, the app converts raw transaction data into high-fidelity financial clarity, offering detailed spending analytics that turn every purchase into an actionable insight.