Do you need that receipt, Part II

Receipts printed on thermal paper (the smooth, glossy receipts with dark black print) are coated with chemicals.  During printing, the thermal paper passes over a print head that uses heat to burn areas of the receipt corresponding to the letters and numbers on the receipt.  A receipt is probably thermal paper if it discolors easily when scratched with a coin or paperclip. Three reasons why thermal paper is a sustainability issue:

• The entire piece of paper is coated with chemical.  In conventional printing only a small area is coated with ink. 
• The chemical coating of the thermal paper likely includes Bisphenol-A (BPA) or Bisphenol-S (BPS).  BPA has been in the news for the last few years as a chemical contained in hard, clear plastic and epoxy resins used in many consumer products. Some sources say BPA is safe as currently used; other sources say BPA is very harmful to humans and in the environment.  In either case, the BPA on the thermal paper can rub off on your hands and can also contaminate recycled paper with BPA.  Some manufacturers are now using BPS, but I have not found studies that show if BPS is harmful.  
• Thermal paper receipts are not recyclable in many locations because of the chemicals, so check your local requirements before putting these receipts in the recycling bin.​