Why can't I opt out of getting a paper receipt?

The phenomenon known as eBilling, serves a certain sector within the Billing industry. Bills, accounts, statements and invoices are traditionally delivered to customers as and when they are required to action something, or following an action.

A gap in this market that has often irked me is the opportunity to tell the bank machine that I do not want a receipt. The bank sends me a statement, I can login to my internet banking as and when I like, and so I don't need to receive a silly little piece of paper that will only maximise the stretch capacity of my wallet and encourage me to investigate the purchase of a handbag. Next time you are at the ATM, have a look at the level of overflow from the disposal unit at the machine. How many ATM users have just thrown away their receipt?

Also, do I really need to get a receipt from the restaurant or shop when I swipe my credit card with the irritating pin? As the transaction goes through, and before it has been printed - I have already received an SMS with the transaction details. Is the slip really necessary? Can I not be given a choice before it is printed?

I do understand that there are people who do require those pieces of paper, and I do understand that some people need to be reminded of their balance at the end of the transaction. Is it not possible to have this information transfer digitised? Following a transaction, an ATM should prompt the user to select to have their receipt either printed, displayed or neither. Furthermore, following a transaction on an account, notification thereof could be delivered to the customer via email or SMS.

So while eBilling in the corporate world of billing is covered, the use of electronic notifications still has a way to go I think.