What do you think about when you think of plastic money? Credit or debit cards, right? Many countries have begun switching to polymer-based bills of currency, so the only thing in your wallet that isn't plastic may just be your wallet itself.
Canada is next in line to switch to the plastic money. MNN.com (via Forbes.com) says,
The new plastic money will be rolled out in phases with the $100 bill scheduled for introduction in November. In March 2012, a $50 bill will be added to the mix and the rest of the smaller bills will be introduced by the end of 2013.
There are several benefits to plastic cash - enhanced security, a longer life and the money is even cleaner. We all know how dirty money can be but the new bills are resistant to water, oil, sweat, dust and more.
The polymer-based money is also recyclable. The money is made out of polypropylene, which can be recycled and used to create new products including plumbing fittings, compost bins and other household items.
So basically instead of just printing money at will, governments will at least be able to hook up your crap drain to the sewer system with PVC pipe that used to be money.
(There's a joke in there somewhere, I'm sure.)
Is this new polymer money more eco-friendly than paper money? It's plastic, sooooo, no. Is it more eco-friendly than printing money on paper? That's a little more murky of a question, with an even murkier answer.
What do you think?
[Photo: Diego_3336/Flickr]
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