This morning, I was sent a request to read a post on Software Advice. The topic hit spot on with my own values on paperless, so I am more then happy to share this with my readers!
I’m a Whole Foods regular. Not just any Whole Foods, but the flagship World headquarters in Austin, Texas. I live right across the street and every morning I stop in on my walk to work. I pick up two breakfast tacos and a coffee.
I also pick up a useless paper receipt.
I certainly don’t need a paper receipt – I have no desire to return a taco. Paper receipts represent a wasteful vestige of the last millennium. In fact, there is no reason – legal or otherwise – why consumers or retailers need paper receipts. Electronic receipts are completely valid and they are far more efficient.
Moreover, the production of paper receipts do some real damage to our environment. Here are some stunning factoids that I found at AllEtronic, an interesting business that is working to move receipts to digital format.
Agree, Agree, Agree! Paper receipts are such a HUGE waste, my purse is always over flowing with debit card receipts from every stop I make during the week. Then when I try to find that one receipt I actually do need for a return, I never find it and get stuck with a store credit instead of the cash I paid! An inefficient system from beginning to end for sure.
So, what can be done?
First, educate!
Please Kill the Paper Receipt taught me that “thermal receipt paper cannot be recycled”…WHAT? So, all the receipts (first checked for any personal information) I have tossed into my paper recycling… what about those?
Next, motivate!
So, what we really need is a strong incentive to move to electronic receipts. We need incentives – primarily monetary – that motivate consumers and retailers to push toward the vision of paperless retail purchases.
Finally, vote and comment!
After taking the time to read Please Kill the Paper Receipt, take a minute to answer their poll and sharing your thoughts on this in the comments, or post the link on FaceBook , Twitter or other social networks. This way you can educate others as well. Thank you to Software Advice for sharing this post with me this morning, a Green Gem of the Week for sure!
Cheers!
Elaine says
May 18, 2010 at 3:12 pmWhile I agree that it would be nice to rid ourselves of paper receipts, I find them quite valuable at tax time. I add up the sales tax I’ve paid throughout the year to add to my tax deductions. Without the paper receipts I would not have that record.
Elaine says
May 18, 2010 at 3:12 pmWhile I agree that it would be nice to rid ourselves of paper receipts, I find them quite valuable at tax time. I add up the sales tax I’ve paid throughout the year to add to my tax deductions. Without the paper receipts I would not have that record.
Tracy says
April 29, 2010 at 6:47 pmI always say no to a receipt at the ATM and gas pump. I know those little slips of paper add up and every little bit helps.
Tracy says
April 29, 2010 at 6:47 pmI always say no to a receipt at the ATM and gas pump. I know those little slips of paper add up and every little bit helps.