10th October 2025
Many industries face growing pressure to reduce waste and keep materials in circulation for as long as possible. For businesses that supply or use paper rolls, such as thermal receipt paper and ticket rolls, this means moving away from the simple “take, make, dispose” model. Instead, the focus is shifting to a circular approach that prioritises reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal.
Paper is often viewed as an easy material to recycle, but thermal paper rolls are more complex. Traditional thermal paper contains bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that allows the surface to react to heat without catching fire. While this property is useful for printing, it makes the recycling process far more difficult.
Standard paper recycling facilities cannot fully remove BPA from the pulp. If contaminated paper enters the recycling stream, it can affect the quality of the entire batch. It may also increase the risk of harmful chemicals leaching into wastewater during processing. For this reason, many recycling plants treat thermal receipts and ticket rolls as contaminants rather than recyclable feedstock.
Cross-contamination adds another layer of difficulty. Even a small amount of coated paper can lower the quality of recycled pulp. Adhesives, labels, and plastic cores complicate sorting, slowing the process down and increasing costs.
A practical way to address these issues is to switch to safer materials. BPA-free paper eliminates bisphenol A but contains bisphenol S (BPS) instead. Phenol-free paper removes BPA, BPS, and any other phenols completely. These cleaner options are safer to handle and easier to manage at the end of their life.
BPC UK supplies BPA-free and phenol-free thermal paper rolls in a full range of sizes. This gives customers a responsible option right from the start, before the paper enters the waste stream.
While recycling coated paper remains difficult, businesses can still support circular economy goals by making practical changes:
Use safer thermal paper: Choosing phenol-free rolls reduces chemical concerns and simplifies disposal.
Cut unnecessary waste: Offering digital receipts or printing only when needed reduces paper use at the source.
Buy in bulk and store efficiently: Larger orders with fast nationwide delivery can reduce packaging and transport emissions.
Give clear disposal guidance: Educating staff or customers on proper disposal helps prevent contamination of recycling streams.
BPC UK has already removed BPA from all thermal paper products. Customers can choose plain rolls or up to 8-colour printed rolls on either side, with discounts on bulk orders and fast nationwide delivery. By pairing responsible materials with efficient supply solutions, the company is helping its customers lower their environmental impact without sacrificing print quality or performance.
Building a circular economy takes time, and thermal paper continues to pose recycling challenges that require ongoing innovation. However, switching to phenol-free or BPA-free paper and encouraging responsible disposal can make a meaningful difference.
BPC UK will keep supporting this shift through product development, responsible sourcing, and practical solutions for businesses that depend on thermal paper.
