This year’s Earth Day on April 22 is all about the motto “Invest in our planet”. Did you know that single-use paper receipts have a bigger impact on our health and the environment than you might realize?

## Paper receipts contain BPA

The chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) commonly found in the thermal paper that is used for the printing of paper receipts, has been linked to various health issues, including cancer. Since BPA is readily absorbed through the skin, especially cashiers and people who handle receipts frequently are exposed to higher levels of the harmful substance than the general population.

## Paper receipts are non-recyclable

As most receipts are printed on thermal paper, which has a chemical lining, they cannot be recycled as paper. Paper receipts for single use are usually printed automatically, which leads to them being thrown away as direct waste. Digitizing receipts is the most sustainable option for providing and archiving receipts.

## Paper receipts use a lot of resources

The production of paper receipts requires significant amounts of natural resources. Besides the environmental impact of thermal paper, using non-thermal alternatives generally means higher printing costs for businesses. In thermal paper, the heat-sensitive coating material reacts to the heat generated by the thermal printer to produce the text or image. Because no ink or toner is required, the cost is lower compared to non-thermal printing methods. By contrast, digital receipts do not require physical materials, reducing waste, and saving businesses time and money.

## Go digital with the digital receipt by fiskaly

Switching to digital receipts not only makes the shopping experience more convenient for customers, it also saves valuable resources. Our eco-friendly solution offers carbon-neutral receipts that are coming from the cloud. As a result, wastepaper is reduced and contact with pollutants is limited.

Paper receipts harm our health and the environment. They contain BPA, can't be recycled, and use lots of resources. Fiskaly's digital receipts offer a sustainable and convenient solution to reduce waste and save money. Invest in our planet!

Contact sales team

Take your POS to the next level

Discover the game-changing benefits of digital receipts in retail. From enhanced customer engagement and efficient data management to eco-friendliness, learn why it's time for retailers to make the switch.

As the retail industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses to embrace digital transformation and leverage technologies that enhance customer experience while driving operational efficiencies. Whether you are a small store or a large chain, fiskaly helps you seamlessly transition to electronic receipts.

fiskaly digital receipt in retail

Start now by digitizing your receipts

Discover the advantages of digital receipts in retail: eco-friendly, streamlined transactions, easy returns, enhanced customer engagement, and data analytics.

Beyond the transaction: How digital receipts are reshaping retail

The landscape of regulatory compliance is ever-changing. In January 2024, the German [Cash Register Security Ordinance (KassenSichV)](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/kassensichv-kassensicherungsverordnung-in-2024-what-will-change), which stipulates the technical requirements for electronic recording and security systems in business transactions, was updated. Making the switch to digital receipts is a great way to ensure seamless compliance while also profiting from many other benefits.

## What is the new mandatory receipt information according to KassenSichV in 2024?

A [key change to the KassenSichV in 2024](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/kassensichv-kassensicherungsverordnung-in-2024-what-will-change) affects the mandatory information that must be included on receipts. Since January 2024, all receipts issued in Germany must contain the serial numbers of the electronic record-keeping system (ERS) and the security module (TSS), as well as the check value and the consecutive signature counter.

It is recommended to [store the TSS signature in a QR code](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/qr-code-replaces-tss-signature), which significantly speeds up [cash register inspections](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/cash-inspection-kassennachschau-in-germany-what-merchants-should-know). Using a QR code instead of plain text for the required TSS data also shortens the receipt that needs to be handed out for every transaction according to the [receipt issuance obligation](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/receipt-issuance-obligation-in-germany-background-effects-and-alternatives), saving paper and resources.

## Digital receipts for KassenSichV compliance, receipt issuance obligation, and beyond

Saving paper and avoiding [harmful chemicals in paper receipts](/blog/paper-receipt-facts) is a good idea, but in what other ways can digital receipts contribute to your business success?

### The benefits of digital receipts go beyond mere compliance

* #### Easy and fast integration with your POS system

The electronic receipt can be smoothly integrated through an API, with [extensive documentation and fiskaly developer resources](https://developer.fiskaly.com/api/ereceipt/v1) that cover all technical aspects. You always remain fully compliant with legal requirements and GDPR without needing to take care of continuous feature updates, efficient partnership management, and integrations with third-party services yourself.

* #### International roll-out

Once implemented, the digital receipt can be used in all European countries where legislation allows for the replacement of the printed receipt with a digital solution. This includes for example Germany, Austria, France, and Spain.

* #### Easy receipt collection for the end customer

Instead of receiving a printed receipt, customers can conveniently [access their digital receipt through a QR code](/blog/static-and-dynamic-qr-code) displayed at the checkout. This allows for easy archiving and storage, including [Google Wallet™](/blog/digital-receipt-by-fiskaly-integrated-into-google-wallet) and [Apple Wallet](https://www.fiskaly.com/it/blog/digital-receipt-by-fiskaly-integrated-into-apple-wallet).

* #### Improved customer experience

Like the convenience of in-store self-checkouts, the hidden opportunities in anticipating customer needs are often found between the lines – and sometimes it's the little things. A customer is not satisfied and wants to exchange their purchase? They might have lost the paper receipt or it might not be readable anymore, which prevents them from completing their goal, resulting in a non-satisfactory interaction with your business. With a digital receipt at their disposal, they can access it anywhere at any time.

* #### Customizable to fit every need

Whether it's including a logo, barcodes for loyalty programs, or promotion banners, the opportunities are endless. Through the [merchant dashboard](/digital-receipt#merchant-dashboard), it's easier than ever to stay flexible, adjust receipts and get detailed insights into their performance. This allows for greater control and optimization of the receipt process.

* #### An additional marketing channel with unlimited potential

Imagine a customer who receives a paper receipt with an included voucher at the end. They might take a closer look at the receipt and keep it in their wallet only to find it again long after the promotion period. Or they might throw away the receipt straight away, missing out on the satisfaction of saving money. Either way, both are frustrating outcomes to both customers and businesses. By issuing electronic receipts, customers have everything they need in the palm of their hand, contributing to customer loyalty.

* #### A valuable customer touchpoint in any industry

From reaching anonymous customers in [retail](/blog/digital-receipt-in-retail) and saving on printing infrastructure for on-the-go [service providers](/blog/digital-receipt-in-service) to faster receipt issuance and shorter waiting times in [hospitality](/blog/digital-receipt-in-hospitality) – digital receipts support businesses in streamlining their operations.

The transition to e-receipts is an investment in the future. In addition to seamless compliance, it's about leveraging the potential of technology to make use of receipts as more than simply an operational formality. It’s a great way to stay on top of compliance while providing customers with the best experience, and remain at the forefront in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

**So, why wait?**

Recently, the German Cash Register Security Ordinance (KassenSichV) was updated with new requirements for receipts. Switching to digital receipts is a good way to ensure seamless compliance with the regulations while benefiting from many other advantages.

Experience multinational compliance, optimized customer loyalty, and easy POS integration via API.

Digital Receipt: Compliance, Loyalty, and Beyond [Update 2024]

Digital receipts for regulatory compliance and beyond in 2024

Imagine this: you walk into a bakery to buy a donut or a croissant. Your treat is adorned with a sugar glaze receipt showing the price, quantity, and receipt number. In January 2020, 200 sugar glaze receipts embellished the traditional Bavarian filled donut (the so-called Krapfen), in a Bavarian bakery. This wasn't an expression of affection for the aesthetics of receipts by the bakers; it was a protest against the introduction of the [mandatory receipt issuance law in Germany](https://kassensichv.net/en/articles/receipt-issuance-obligation-in-germany-background-effects-and-alternatives) in January 2020.

The receipt issuance obligation aims to [ensure the transaction is recorded in the cash register system](https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/service/bon-pflicht-neues-kassengesetz-hat-folgen-fuer-die-umwelt-a-1297036.html) and prevent tax evasion. "Stop the receipt and trash madness immediately," demanded the Central Association of the German Bakers back then. In response to protests from bakers and many other industries, the federal government sought to appease concerns by emphasizing that [receipts could also be issued electronically](https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/service/scholz-erlaubt-wildwuchs-bei-digitalen-quittungen-a-08e30e90-f1b0-44f4-815d-b37c6e00b2bc). Concrete guidelines were however not forthcoming; implementation was left to individual companies.

## The e-receipt is here to stay
Today, transitioning to electronic receipts is only a matter of time. Bitkom states that [digital receipts already play a role for 44% of companies.](https://www.bitkom.org/Bitkom/Publikationen/Elektronische-Beleg-und-Rechnungsdaten-im-Jahr-2022) According to a [2022 study on POS systems by EHI](https://www.ehi.org/produkt/studie-pos-systeme-2022-pdf-version/), approximately 34% of all receipts in Germany can now be issued digitally. The forecast for the future is 95%. [Companies like Rewe already offer digital receipts](https://mediacenter.rewe.de/pressemitteilungen/papier-sparen-mit-rewe-app-und-ebon) through their app.

Innovation often becomes possible only when businesses, as well as consumers, are ready for it. A popular example is the predecessor of the Macintosh: In December 1968, Xerox introduced a technology with a mouse and graphical display, the Xerox Alto. Accounts of that time suggest that managers at Xerox viewed typing correspondence as secretarial work and calculating numbers as tasks for the accounting department, hence showing little interest in the wider distribution of the Alto. The device was used only internally at Xerox. Many of the innovations in the Alto were later adopted by Steve Jobs for the Apple Macintosh, which was released in 1984 as the first commercially successful personal computer and revolutionized society. The Xerox Alto was ahead of its time.

## Saving paper and retaining customers
Society is more than ready for the e-receipt. The surplus paper generated by paper receipts is not only an [environmental burden](/blog/paper-receipt-facts) but also cumbersome: consumers rarely take receipts with them, and merchants must dispose of them at the end of the day. [If thermal paper is used](/blog/paper-receipt-facts), the receipts must be disposed of separately. This is a real problem, especially for businesses selling large quantities at low prices.

Furthermore, the electronic receipt is an opportunity to connect with consumers. Advertising or information initiatives can be [linked on the receipt through a barcode](/blog/digital-receipt-use-cases). In an economy where [community building](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/a-better-way-to-build-a-brand-the-community-flywheel) is central to maintaining and establishing a customer base, such communication is essential. People don't just want to shop; they are looking to be affirmed in their values, lifestyle, and sense of belonging.

## Empowering customers
In the future, it will become increasingly important to provide customers with a [pleasant shopping experience](https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/song/customer-experience-index). Digital receipts could be easily integrated into a [digital wallet](/blog/digital-receipt-by-fiskaly-integrated-into-google-wallet). They enable customers, especially in these times of perceived economic scarcity coupled with a desire for financial autonomy, to manage expenses digitally—[a growing trend](https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissahouston/2024/02/02/embracing-the-trend-of-loud-budgeting/?sh=169fc3d85d68).

Digital receipts are helpful for tax returns, as they allow individuals to collect their expenses in one place. Customers can also better exercise their right to return items—a right that studies show is often not utilized because [paper receipts are lost](https://www.ehi.org/produkt/studie-pos-systeme-2022-pdf-version/).

## Anticipating the Zeitgeist
The idea of people [keeping physical documents](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/sep/29/i-sold-our-house-and-gave-away-our-stuff-the-minimalists-doing-more-with-less) contradicts the concept of minimalism, which increasingly defines our time. Documents need to be stored, and storing is becoming more and more 'outdated.' Many people don't have home offices where they stack bulky folders of receipts over years. Young people, the consumers of the future, according to studies, [prefer to manage everything on their phones](https://www.pwc.de/de/handel-und-konsumguter/so-tickt-die-generation-z.html).

The digital receipt aligns with the zeitgeist on various levels much more than the paper receipt: it avoids paper waste, it facilitates communication with the customer, and it empowers customers to have better control over their finances and tax matters. Transitioning to this model is now a matter of time, much like the personal computer. Those who don't take this leap today will lag behind the competition. Merchants will want to offer the e-receipt and POS providers must be prepared.

The introduction of the mandatory issuance of receipts in Germany sparked protests. Today, digital receipts are inevitable. They reduce paper waste, enhance customer engagement, and facilitate easier management. Businesses must prepare for this shift to remain competitive.

Mandatory receipts in Germany sparked protests. Digital receipts are now inevitable. Businesses must adapt to remain competitive.

The e-receipt is here to stay

More about the digital receipt

This Earth Day, switch to fiskaly's digital receipts. Reduce waste and protect your health by avoiding paper receipts. Invest in our planet!