Is this a better solution for polymer notes?

peter_the_piper

Prinzessilein wrote: »

It seems that the Bank of England have bowed to pressure - and are considering a different method of making the new polymer bank notes..

Instead of offending the vegans, Sikhs and Hindus by using animal tallow, they are thinking of using palm oil for the polymer £20 instead.

Unfortunately, they may need to think again...palm oil production destroys the rainforest...displaces people ...and endangers animals such as orang-utans.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39441971

I can't see this going down well at all!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4366486/20-palm-oil.html
The existing £5 plastic note and the new £10 note due for release in September, will continue to contain traces of animal fat.
The Bank concluded that it would be too expensive and would threaten the supply of bank notes to get rid of them despite the protest.

Mandelbrot

MacMickster wrote: »

A really novel idea - lateral thinking and all that - why not use paper obtained from sustainable forests.

On second thoughts forget it. The idea of paper money will never catch on.

I couldn't see any valid reason for changing to polymer notes.
I still can't.
The new £5 notes are horrible.
I expect the £10 & £20 notes will be, too.

Looks like I'll have to stick to £50 notes in future ...

[Deleted User]

I like the new fivers they don't get crumpled up in my purse
So it's the tree huggers and god botherers who complained
Jesus effing Christ someone always has to find a miniscule issue and turn it into a problem for everyone else.

redux

Quasar wrote: »

Now I'm not a chemist or biochemist so maybe this is a stupid idea, but what about all that used waste oil that councils collect (or did at some point?).

Much of it goes for recycling into biodiesel, which on a commercial scale is added at about 5% into forecourt diesel.

The process is relatively simple, and some people chat up their local chip shop or similar for the oil, and then process it themselves.

Running_Horse

Within 20 years most transactions will be electronic, leaving coins for the very small stuff; even the future of coins seems doubtful when you can just scan your thumb or eye. The future of finance is changing in ways we can barely imagine; I didn't see the demise of the cheque or bank guarantee card.

Marisco

bushbaby1103 wrote: »

I like the new fivers they don't get crumpled up in my purse
So it's the tree huggers and god botherers who complained
Jesus effing Christ someone always has to find a miniscule issue and turn it into a problem for everyone else.

This ^^^^

I know nothing of chemistry, is oil of any description vital to the production of the notes? And if so, isn't it better to use tiny amounts of animal fat, than palm oil which is destroying the habitats of Orang Utans? Animal lovers? Aye right!

Gingernutty

MacMickster wrote: »

A really novel idea - lateral thinking and all that - why not use paper obtained from sustainable forests.

On second thoughts forget it. The idea of paper money will never catch on.

We call it paper money, but it's made from flax. Tree derived paper is not robust enough to go through the abuse our money goes through.

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/Pages/lifecycle/production.aspx

Muttleythefrog

Marisco wrote: »

This ^^^^

I know nothing of chemistry, is oil of any description vital to the production of the notes? And if so, isn't it better to use tiny amounts of animal fat, than palm oil which is destroying the habitats of Orang Utans? Animal lovers? Aye right!

What makes you think these animal lovers (who it appears to me are kicking up rather less fuss than others are about them) would approve of palm oil use if it involved destruction of habitats as described? Seriously... do people need to live in some delusional state about others in order to feel superior?


"Doug Maw, who started a petition about the use of animal fat in the fiver, said he was disappointed by the Bank's decision to consider palm oil."

Marisco

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

What makes you think these animal lovers (who it appears to me are kicking up rather less fuss than others are about them) would approve of palm oil use if it involved destruction of habitats as described? Seriously... do people need to live in some delusional state about others in order to feel superior?


"Doug Maw, who started a petition about the use of animal fat in the fiver, said he was disappointed by the Bank's decision to consider palm oil."

As I said, I know sod all about the construction of these notes, but if oil has to be used, then isn't it better to use animal fats than palm oil? The animals are killed anyway for food etc, He might be disappointed, but will he go along with it, so long as animal fat is not used?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

They also said they were considering coconut oil...which seems to be the better option of the three.

Looking at it that way, they could be saying 'we could use tallow' - no thanks, 'we could use palm oil' - no thanks 'what about coconut oil?' - yeah, that's better. Problem solved.