In addition to impressive security features to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats, these bank notes will last longer – at least two-and-a-half times longer than paper – and will therefore be more economical. These bank notes are also green. Their environmental footprint is smaller than that of the old currency made from cotton-based bank note paper.
Once these new notes are removed from circulation, they will be recycled into other products right here in Canada. Since the new notes were unveiled last June, Bank of Canada staff across the country have been training the millions of cash handlers and tens of thousands of police officers about how to check the security features of the notes.