{"id":749465,"date":"2026-06-20T20:25:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T20:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/749465\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T20:25:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T20:25:27","slug":"can-you-recycle-receipts-in-australia-what-youre-getting-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/749465\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Recycle Receipts in Australia? What You’re Getting Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us try to do the right thing after a trip to the supermarket, but there\u2019s one small item many people are putting in the wrong bin.<\/p>\n

Every time you toss a thermal receipt into your recycling, you could be contaminating an entire batch of otherwise recyclable material. And the reason has nothing to do with paper.<\/p>\n

KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/p>\n

Thermal receipts cannot go in your yellow-lid recycling bin \u2014 they belong in general waste. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s the plastic coating that makes receipts unrecyclable. <\/p>\n

BPA-free doesn\u2019t mean recyclable <\/p>\n

The fix is simple: decline the receipt at checkout or opt out through your loyalty app.<\/p>\n

Can you recycle receipts in Australia?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been a lot of talk about receipts and the chemicals used to make thermal paper. And while it\u2019s great to see supermarkets switching to BPA-free receipts, it\u2019s likely the alternatives still can\u2019t be recycled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sustainability expert Lottle Dalziel, founder of Banish<\/a> and Brad<\/a>, Australia\u2019s hard-to-recycle program, says, \u201cThe coating is what makes receipts non-recyclable, regardless of the chemical used.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause thermal printers don\u2019t use ink, they print on thermal plastic paper, which can\u2019t be recycled even if it doesn\u2019t contain BPA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lottie adds, \u201cSo while it\u2019s great that Woolworths and Coles have gone BPA-free (which is better for health), it doesn\u2019t change the recycling advice. The thermal paper still has that plastic coating that contaminates the recycling stream.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why councils have a blanket no thermal paper rule; it\u2019s about the material itself, not just the chemicals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councils\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many councils <\/a>across Australia apply the same rule: thermal receipts go in the general waste bin.<\/p>\n

The ACT Recyclopedia page<\/a> says, \u201cReceipts, absorbable paper, thermal receipts and waxed paper contaminate the paper recycling process and are often made from very short fibres which are not of high enough quality to be recycled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clean Up Australia<\/a> echoes this, noting the safest disposal method is the general waste bin, which at least isolates the material from the recycling stream.<\/p>\n

What to do instead<\/p>\n

The good news? The fix is simple. Lottie says the best move is to skip the paper receipt altogether.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing people can do is opt out of paper receipts altogether through their loyalty apps or just decline them at checkout. <\/p>\n

\u201cDigital receipts are the way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can receipts be recycled in Australia? <\/p>\n

Thermal receipts cannot be recycled in Australia. The plastic coating on thermal paper contaminates the recycling stream, so they belong in your general waste bin.<\/p>\n

What should I do with old receipts? <\/p>\n

Old receipts need to go in the red lidded bin. Better yet, start declining receipts at the checkout or opting for digital receipts through your loyalty app going forward.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLivia Gamble\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSenior Digital Content Producer\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

With a Bachelor\u2019s degree in communications and over a decade of industry experience, Livia is a seasoned content producer and editor who has a knack for crafting articles brimming with helpful information you never knew you needed (but you do). She has covered various topics, from home decor and gardening to health and wellness, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Livia’s writing has been featured in publications such as the lifestyle section of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, she has worked as a content editor for various parenting and lifestyle brands, including Babyology and Essential Kids. When she isn\u2019t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found crocheting ponchos and attempting to master the perfect homemade pizza dough.<\/p>\n

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