b'MEMBER NEWSWashington State Ferries Switches to Chemical-Free ReceiptsT heteamatWashington State Ferries (WSF) has been makingnumerouschanges throughout the system that are better for the environment and public health. The most recent adjustment has been a switch to the receipt paper used. WSFwillbethefirststateagency tostopusingthermalreceiptsthat containharmfulbisphenols(BPA &BPC),aheadofastatewideban in2026.ADepartmentofEcology employee raised the issue after a ferry trip, sparking a state interagency ef-fort to find safer paper. Once a chem- decorative | durable | functionalical-free option was found, it was add-ed to a statewide contract available to all state agencies. Thermal receipts are printed on spe-cialpapermadeofmultiplelayers, includingachemicalmixturethat determines how well they resist heat, moisture, abrasion and light. But ther-mal receipts contain bisphenols, which are endocrine disruptors that can cause negative health effects, particularly in children. Removing these potentially PHOTO: WASHINGTON STATE FERRIESharmful chemicals helps protect com-munities, as well as the environment.USCG-Certied Light-Weight Aluminum Ferry customers can expect to see theHoneycomb Panels for Passenger Ferriesnewphenol-freethermalreceiptsin about a month. rigidized.com/markets/marine658 Ohio Street | Buffalo, NY 14203 | marine@rigidized.com57 NOVEMBER 2024'