, Columnist
California’s Crusade Against Receipts Is Pointless
A proposal to ban the paper slips, like plastic straws, asks little of citizens and will have just as little impact on the environment.
Not the real problem.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Can grandstanding empty the oceans of plastics and the landfills of trash?
For the last five years, California's been conducting an experiment to find out. In 2016, the state enacted a limited plastic-bag ban. This year, a new law forbids most restaurants from distributing plastic straws unless requested by a customer. Next up? A San Francisco lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban paper receipts unless a customer specifically asks for one. If adopted, proponents argue, the environmental and health benefits will be significant.