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.
What makes Green Banknote™ “Green”?
The Green Banknote™™ does achieve a lower carbon footprint by:
- The substitution of 100% conventional cotton by 50% sustainable cotton such as GOTS or CmiA and 50% FSC® (FSC-C138716) certified pulp
- The use of 70% recycled content in the carrier foil for security thread RollingStar®® i+ and varifeye®® Patch
- The lamination of the paper core with >30% less plastic: the original 6µm thin foil could be reduced to 4µm only which saves material and weight
The Green Banknote™™ does achieve a higher biobased carbon content by:
- Using mineral oil-free simultan printing inks instead of mineral oil-based ones.
- The lamination of the paper core with >30% less plastic: the original 6µm thin foil is reduced to 4µm, reducing the amount of fossil based plastic in the banknote
- The corresponding certificates can be found here: DIN CERTCO for Giesecke+Devrient and DIN CERTCO for Louisenthal
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 reduce environmental impacts across the cash cycle? Together.
As one of the leading brands in the currency industry, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. Meaningful progress requires collaboration across the entire cash community. The Green Banknote™ Initiative - an approach by G+D to reduce the environmental impact of banknotes - brings together stakeholders to discuss and advance measures that can help reduce environmental impacts associated with natural fiber-based banknotes and their lifecycle. It serves as a forum for exchange, knowledge sharing and joint dialogue on environmental improvement opportunities across the cash cycle.
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.
Whitepaper “The Natural Choice”
As the demand for sustainable cash solutions grows, various banknote substrates are competing for recognition – making it essential to understand their real environmental profiles.
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.