Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

1 min read

From Cash to Conservation

Researchers at Griffith University of Australia have investigated the representation of native fauna on banknotes to identify geographic hotspots and taxonomic patterns, and determine whether threatened and endemic species were more readily represented.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

5 min read

Sustainability Centre Stage in Frankfurt

Some were in Frankfurt for the European football in the final week of June, but not all. The second Cash Sustainability Forum saw two and a half days of discussion, presentations and debate focused on reducing the environmental impact of cash and the cash cycle.

Events Sustainability

Tim Berridge

1 Aug. 2024

4 min read

How Regional Recycling Solutions Support Global Success

In an age where consumers, companies and central banks are seeking to reduce raw materials use and close the loop on waste, banknote recycling has never been more important.

Sustainability

John Winchcombe

3 July 2024

6 min read

France Working Hard on End-to-End Cash Sustainability

A bulletin published by the Banque de France describes its work on environmental sustainability. The paper offers up a model for others to consider, detailing the Bank's work on areas it controls directly and its collaborative work with others in the cash cycle.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

2 min read

Every Little Bit of Sustainability Helps

Gary Spinks of Security Fibres introduced his presentation in one of the Innovation Sessions at the Banknote Conference with the acknowledgement that, in the great scheme of things, security fibres are an infinitesimally small element of security paper, and therefore the impact of more sustainable fibres is limited. Even so, he said, everyone needs to do their bit.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

3 min read

CPS Returns, Launches Green Strategy

Just over a year ago, CPS announced that it was exiting the market for high-speed banknote sorting systems and pivoting to software and services. It was then back in force at the Banknote Conference, unveiling its new strategy for sustainability, flexibility and digitisation for the banknote fitness sorting and authentication sector.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

30 April 2024

5 min read

Aligning Euro Banknote Policies with Paris Agreement Targets

The European Central Bank (ECB) has been working to reduce the environmental impact of euro banknotes and the Eurosystem cash cycle since the introduction of the euro in 2002. Although it has made progress, it has further goals to reduce the environmental footprint of current and future euro banknotes.

Banknotes Sustainability

Alexandra Peppmeier

30 April 2024

2 min read

Biobased Carbon Content for Banknotes

The intensive focus on sustainability and greener solutions has been developing rapidly in the banknote industry. In the July 2023 edition of Currency News™, G+D described its rationale for sustainable products, and highlighted, firstly, the introduction of the Green Banknote initiative in 2022 and, subsequently, the introduction of Green Longlife™ in 2023.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2024

3 min read

Turning Cash into Compost

Last July, Currency News™ reported that BioBanknote, the developer of solutions for repurposing end of life banknotes, and the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BRCP) were conducting a composting test with the waste from banknotes withdrawn from circulation. This article provides the results of that trial.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

29 Feb. 2024

5 min read

Sustainability – Essential to Banknote Design

Biobanknote has spent 12 years focusing on the protection of the environment, building expert knowledge about composting banknotes, and offers professional advisory services to central banks and producers helping them set banknote specification parameters, measurement methodologies, controls and evaluations so that the new banknotes can be more sustainable throughout the cash cycle.

Companies Sustainability

Tim Berridge

29 Feb. 2024

4 min read

Polymer’s Not the Problem. It’s the Green Choice

The problems with plastic are widely known – but not well understood. The truth is, sometimes plastic is necessary. And when it comes to banknotes, polymer substrate is the green choice.

Banknotes Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

22 Dec. 2023

2 min read

ECB Identifies Banknote Environmental Impact

The European Central Bank (ECB) has issued the findings of its Product Environment Footprint (PEF) study, which focuses on the creation and life cycle of banknotes through to their disposal when they become unfit to circulate.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

6 min read

Using Buying Power to Reduce Environmental Impacts

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) held a webinar recently to discuss how sustainability is, and can be, incorporated into tenders by central banks. Purchasing power is, of course, a powerful lever for achieving policy goals.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Banknote Fibre Extraction – Repurposing Goes Greener

Earlier this year Giesecke+Devrient outlined a solution for banknote waste which is ‘straightforward, flexible and scalable’ (see CN July 2023). After having introduced the concept of Banknote Fibre Extraction (BFE) at the CT Symposium, the next development phase has taken place.

Sustainability Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

2 min read

Steady Sustainability Progress in UK Cash Cycle

The UK’s Cash Industry Environmental Charter Group (CIEC), which consists of more than 30 organisations active in cash working together to establish best practice and drive change, has reported on its progress.

Cash Handling Sustainability

John Winchcombe

28 Sept. 2023

4 min read

Where’s the Money? The Challenge of Managing Change

The London Climate Technology Show, which took place end September, was full of start-ups and other more established companies offering solutions to measure your environmental footprint, to offset your carbon, to sequester your carbon in the soil/ocean/trees etc. etc. etc.

CBDC Free Sustainability Free

Astrid Mitchell

24 Aug. 2023

4 min read

Transforming Sludge from Intaglio Printing into Green Alternative

The production of a million banknotes (or one shift of an intaglio printing line) produces 100 kg of intaglio ‘sludge’. Sludge is frequently sent to landfill because of its contamination in the process used to extract it from the printing process.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

31 July 2023

2 min read

Latest News on Composting Banknote Waste

Biobanknote, developer of solutions for repurposing end of life banknotes and the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú have recently conducted a composting test with the waste from banknotes withdrawn from circulation at the Control Ambiental plant.

Banknotes Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

31 July 2023

5 min read

G+D Goes Big on Sustainability at Symposium

Giesecke+Devrient held its Currency Technology Symposium 2023 in July in Munich. Normally a biennial event, this is the first to be held since 2019 due to COVID, and was attended by more than 300 customers from central banks, printworks and commercial cash handling industry.

Events Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

31 July 2023

3 min read

Lesotho's Green Banknote Meets the Kingdom's Sustainability Goals

On 17 July the Central Bank of Lesotho unveiled its first Green Banknote, in commemoration of the 60th birthday of the King of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III, who has reigned since 1996.

Sustainability