Can you recycle receipts?

Most till receipts are thermal paper coated with colour-developing chemicals (historically BPA/BPS), which contaminate recycled paper, so they should go in general waste. If a receipt is plain paper (it won't go dark when scratched with a coin), it can be recycled. Choose email receipts where offered.

Tips

• Scratch test: thermal paper darkens when you scratch it with a coin
• Opt for e-receipts at the till

Which bin does it go in?

General waste

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: The 10 recycling mistakes that ruin lorry-loads.

Also searched as: till receipts, thermal paper, shop receipts.