You’ve just finished a transaction at the ATM. The screen lights up: “Would you like a receipt?” Before your finger reaches for “Print,” pause. What if you tapped “No” or chose “Email” instead?
This small moment can help reduce paper waste, limit public litter, and support Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Why It Matters?
ATM receipts may seem insignificant, but collectively they generate billions of printed slips each year. In the U.S. alone, over 8 billion ATM receipts are printed annually (Source: Green America – Skip the Slip to Reduce Paper Receipts). Most are tossed within minutes, littering sidewalks, ATM lobbies, and even clogging drains.
Worse, they’re made from thermal paper coated with chemicals like BPA or BPS, which can’t be recycled and pose environmental and health risks. That makes each receipt a single-use pollutant—often unnecessary, easily avoided.
The Tiny Action: Skip or Email Your ATM Receipt
Every time you use an ATM:
- Tap “No” to skip printing, especially if you already track your finances through your mobile banking app.
- Choose the “Email Receipt” option if available. It’s secure, clutter-free, and environmentally smarter.
- Make it your default. Many banks allow you to set a preference in your account settings or banking app.
Why It Works?
- Reduces Urban Litter: Printed receipts often end up on the ground, adding to visual pollution and waste cleanup costs.
- Cuts Resource Use: Email receipts require no paper, ink, or energy to print.
- Creates Positive Habits: The more people choose digital, the more pressure banks feel to offer sustainable defaults.
How It Supports SDG 11?
SDG 11 is about making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Target 11.6 focuses on reducing the environmental impact of cities, especially from waste. By declining a printed receipt—or going digital—you’re doing your part to create cleaner, more efficient public spaces (Source: UN SDG 11).
Cleaner cities start with smarter choices. Next time you’re at the ATM, don’t just think about your balance—think about your impact.
Join the ATM No-Receipt Challenge: Tap “No” or “Email” and help build a more sustainable world, one transaction at a time.
