ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new project at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is helping restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses switch to paperless receipt systems.

The goal is not just reducing paper waste, it’s also cutting human exposure to the chemical BPA, which is used in thermal receipt papers. Though BPA-free papers are available, the MPCA says the most common substitute shows the same hormone-disrupting properties.

BPA is associated with reproductive problems, obesity and diabetes in mice. In humans, it mimics estrogen and has been linked with breast cancer. Its use in containers is well known, and it’s banned from many children’s products.

Participating businesses get help assessing their current receipt paper, learning about health and environmental effects, and transitioning to paperless systems. The MPCA says the initial response has been enthusiastic.

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