{"id":200197,"date":"2026-02-01T12:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T12:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/mercadona-and-other-supermarkets-waste-tons-of-paper-on-unread-receipts-aiming-for-change\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T12:14:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T12:14:15","slug":"mercadona-and-other-supermarkets-waste-tons-of-paper-on-unread-receipts-aiming-for-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/mercadona-and-other-supermarkets-waste-tons-of-paper-on-unread-receipts-aiming-for-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercadona and Other Supermarkets Waste Tons of Paper on Unread Receipts: Aiming for Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You go to the supermarket, buy a couple of items (just enough for dinner), and at checkout, you receive a ticket. You stuff it into your pocket and leave with your bag in hand, heading towards the parking lot. This mundane routine of convenience, however, is about to undergo a significant change. <\/p>\n

The Problem with Paper Receipts<\/h2>\n

Every year, supermarkets print millions of receipts, a substantial portion of which only includes a handful of items. Most often, these tickets go straight into the trash can without anyone even glancing at them. It\u2019s not just wasteful in terms of resources, but it also poses environmental concerns. Major retailers like Mercadona, Lidl, and Dia have become significant contributors to this paper waste.<\/p>\n

Proposed Solution by Asedas<\/h3>\n

Asedas (Spanish Association of Distributors, Self-Service and Supermarkets) has proposed a potential solution: printing receipts only when the customer specifically requests them. This idea aims to maintain electronic tickets for control purposes while eliminating unnecessary paper waste.<\/p>\n

Modifying Regulations<\/h2>\n

Recent reports from The Economist<\/em> reveal that Asedas is pushing for a slight modification in government regulations, which currently mandate the automatic printing of receipts. According to Ignacio Garc\u00eda, head of Asedas, customers could opt for either a physical or digital ticket, thus preventing a waste of paper.<\/p>\n

Current Challenges<\/h3>\n

Many customers are hesitant to provide their personal data\u2014like email addresses\u2014due to privacy concerns, resulting in more tickets being printed than necessary. This issue is compounded by data indicating that around 30% of transactions involve minimal purchases, resulting in receipts that are often discarded without ever being reviewed.<\/p>\n

The Ecological Impact<\/h2>\n

According to Garc\u00eda, a staggering one-third of tickets end up abandoned at the checkout counter. This highlights the extent of waste in a system that generates around 5 billion receipts annually, consuming nearly 4,500 tons of paper. For a retail sector directly tied to sustainability, these figures are alarming and call for urgent action.<\/p>\n

A Sustainable Future<\/h3>\n

The potential shift towards optional paper receipts is part of a wider initiative that aligns with practices already adopted in other European countries. For example, in 2023, France transitioned to a system where paper receipts must be requested, effectively reducing paper waste. Similar changes have been seen in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden, while in Spain, retailers are gradually adopting digital ticketing solutions.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The initiative proposed by Asedas does more than just reduce paper waste; it places consumer choice at the forefront of retail practices. With major chains backing this movement, the transition could pave the way for more significant changes in the industry, leading to a greener and more consumer-friendly shopping experience.<\/p>\n

Images:<\/strong> Xataka Mobile and Wikipedia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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