The Green Banknote Initiative
a holistic view of the future of the sustainable banknote.
A Banknote that pays off for the environment
The worldwide popularity of cash as a trustworthy means of payment is growing, leading to a high demand for banknotes. As part of the Green Banknote Initiative, we therefore developed a sustainable and visionary product that no longer is a vision: The Green Banknote.
A Hybrid ADDvance® banknote with the smallest carbon footprint – without compromising on durability or security. To make the Green Banknote as sustainable as possible, we took a close look at every component. And we were successful: the Green Banknote has been awarded by the IACA with the Best New Environmental Sustainability Program For Currency Award 2023.
The green banknote
0 %
LESS CO2
THAN POLYMER BANKNOTES
0 %
LESS PLASTIC
THAN POLYMER BANKNOTES
SAME
lifetime
AS POLYMER BANKNOTES
With the green banknote initiative, we think beyond durability.
The key driver of banknote sustainability is their durability. But by no means the only factor. Durable banknotes based on natural fibers deliver more: uncompromising security, maximum efficiency, great flexibility within a currency, and tailored end-of-life scenarios.
Sustainable and Secure at every level
Like all fiber-based substrates, the Green Banknote can be equipped with all state-of-the-art substrate-embedded security features. Click on the sample note, and check for yourself how the essential security features were seamlessly incorporated into the design of both sides of the banknote. These features not only make the Green Banknote more beautiful, but also more secure.
We put a lot into it, to leave only a little behind.
The Green Banknote is sustainable and secure at every level. To this end, we have taken a close look at every component of the Hybrid ADDvance® banknote and improved it. Therefore we have done a lot. For example, we reduced the use of plastic and used even more sustainable fibers with no compromise on durability and security. But what exactly is in the Green Banknote, you can find out in the video below.
Repurposed. Reborn.
How can we produce less waste.
Even the most durable banknotes don’t live forever – at least not as banknotes. And when it comes to unfit notes, there is simply no one-size-fits-all solution for every country and every customer. That’s why our approach focuses on “repurposing” as a broader range of different technologies and practices. From becoming a thermal energy source or compost to helping new plants grow or even a new valuable raw material: we are supporting our customers to find the perfect specific repurposing solution. For this purpose, for example, we are working with Biobanknote® in Bogotá, Colombia, a leading company for the composting of banknotes. In addition, our engineers found a completely new way to give unfit banknotes a new life: the Banknote Fiber Extractor.
This technology enables the secure destruction of large volumes of banknote shreds while at the same time extracting the individual cotton fibers with their versatile properties fully intact. The resulting product can be reused in a variety of ways. From packaging and other recycled paper products to insulation material or cement additive in the construction industry.
Composting of Banknotes
Banknote Fiber Extraction
How to make the cash cycle greener? Together.
As one of the leading brands in the industry, we take sustainability and the responsibility that comes with it very seriously. But sustainability, is a team sport that can only be won together. The Green Banknote Initiative is designed to foster collaboration among members of the currency community and ensure that natural fiber-based banknotes make cash a greener payment system. The initiative is intended to be the work of many and serve as a forum for discussion and a platform for dialogue.
A whitepaper about green paper.
Based on a study that took a close look at banknote substrates, we have broadened our focus on the subject of renewable banknotes. With our Whitepaper, we want to shed light on the green potential of banknotes based on natural fibers. Because to make cash truly “green“, even outstanding durability is not enough.
A whitepaper about green paper.
Based on a study that took a close look at banknote substrates, we have broadened our focus on the subject of renewable banknotes. With our Whitepaper, we want to shed light on the green potential of banknotes based on natural fibers. Because to make cash truly “green“, even outstanding durability is not enough.
A platform for the currency community.
The aim of our Green Banknote Initiative is to foster collaboration and ensure that banknotes based on renewable natural fibers make cash a greener payment system. Only by applying the principles of a circular economy, by decreasing emissions in the complete cash cycle, and by driving resource efficiency across global value chains and operations can the common goal be reached. Our ambition is that the Green Banknote Initiative should be the work of many and serve as a discussion forum and platform for dialogue, both at one-to-one level and at conferences and events.
Get in touch
We are always happy to provide advice and support to our customers and partners. If you have any questions about the Green Banknote Initiative, the Green Banknote, sustainability, end-of-life solutions or other topics, please do not hesitate to contact us.