Paper receipts have come under fire as businesses turn to digital solutions in an attempt to appeal to consumers – but, what are the hidden costs of digital technologies that have proliferated our everyday life?  

You might think that the environmental impact of digital technologies will shrink over time, but recently this has not proven to be true. More products, software, and services are incorporating artificial intelligence and “smart” features in an arms race for relevancy – often increasing the environmental impact of digital processes.  

Often in products such as in Google’s Search, there is no option to turn off AI features1 to reduce energy consumption. Data centers already account for 4.4% of our electricity use as a nation2 and this number is expected to rise to as much as 12% by 2028. In contrast, the U.S. pulp and paper industry has made significant strides in sustainability, with over 58% of energy used generated on premises, primarily from renewable biomass sources3. This self-reliance means less stress on energy generation and delivery infrastructure used by the public. The pulp and paper industry’s reliance on external electricity is considerably lower than that of data centers, which are projected to see exponential increases in demand.   

In text generative AI, a “token” represents a single word or phrase, and many tokens are processed in a single interaction as GAI models process inputs and generate outputs. Processing a million tokens emits as much carbon as driving a gas-powered car 5-20 miles4. Even more alarming, generating a single image using AI uses as much energy as charging a cell phone5.  

With power grids already stressed beyond their limits6, we need to invest in a more sustainable method of processing data and preserving records. Physical receipts have long been a reliable solution, and the domestic US paper receipt industry uses renewable resources such as trees from responsibly managed forests7. Digital receipts require energy-intensive storage and transmission, whereas paper receipts offer a stable, low-energy alternative.   

As digital technologies consume more electricity, paper receipts stand as a more sustainable alternative. They provide a reliable, accessible record, and unlike digital receipts, they are not dependent on servers, cloud storage, or the fluctuating availability of internet connections. Paper receipts are not only practical but, when sourced responsibly, they offer a sustainable solution that doesn’t burden society or our planet.  

As we move forward in our tech-driven society, it’s essential to recognize that not all innovation is created equal. Sometimes, the most sustainable choice is the one that has stood the test of time. The paper receipt is a perfect example of this – a simple, eco-friendly solution that continues to serve us well without the hidden costs of digital technologies.  

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References  

1. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/13572151?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#:~:text=AI%20Overviews%20are%20part%20of,can’t%20be%20turned%20off.   
2. https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-new-report-evaluating-increase-electricity-demand-data-centers   
3. https://www.afandpa.org/news/2024/facts-about-energy-use-and-paper-industry   
4. https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/ai-has-high-data-center-energy-costs-there-are-solutions   
5. https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/12/01/1084189/making-an-image-with-generative-ai-uses-as-much-energy-as-charging-your-phone/   
6. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-07-29/how-the-us-electric-power-grid-became-a-mess-just-when-we-need-it-most   
7. https://www.afandpa.org/news/2023/how-paper-industry-champions-sustainable-forestry