Banknotes have a finite circulating life. As environmental considerations become ever more urgent and publicly supported, it is important to consider the environmental advantages of polymer banknotes after their withdrawal from issue.
Durability and recyclability are key considerations of product design.
Polymer banknotes in circulation last around four times longer than paper notes, reducing new note requirements and note disposal by up to 75%.
Importantly, outsorted polymer notes can be recycled into a wide range of plastic products.
Most paper banknotes are made from cotton. Cotton growing requires large quantities of water and high levels of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, which contribute to waterway contamination. While cotton is said to be a renewable resource, it is not an environmentally friendly crop.
The outsorted paper notes are usually either burned or buried creating either unnecessary air pollution or landfill.
Polymer banknotes, on the other hand, are ready to take on a whole new application through recycling.
The notes are granulated into small confetti like pieces using a motor driven blade system. The granulated notes are then passed through a specialised extruder that melts the polymer and blends them into pellets.
The pellets are then ready to be used as the raw material for such products as compost bins, garden carts, garden pots, household products and plumbing supplies.
Not surprisingly, in Australia demand for the pellets to produce these products exceeds supply.
NPA can provide technical support to customers to ensure that polymer banknotes will be destroyed and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
 Outsorted polymer notes are shredded and pelletised. |
 Polymer banknotes can be recycled into environmentally friendly products such as garden carts and compost bins. |
 Polymer notes are recycled into other useful plastic products such as plumbing supplies. |
