Our commitment, to aim for zero, emissions and waste is backed by significant investment, independent awards and analyses attesting to the measurable results that have been achieved.
CCL Secure’s production plants in Australia, Mexico, and the UK are ISO certified (ISO 9001-14001-45001-27001). This ensures compliance and underpins continuous improvement in line with best practice. We are committed to reducing inputs, emissions and waste in the banknote production process.
In 2022, these efforts were recognised with a prestigious Energy Institute Award, after CCL Secure’s Wigton plant reduced carbon emissions by 26 per cent against a 2018 baseline. At the same time, energy consumption was reduced by 31 per cent, water usage was 40 per cent lower per tonne of product, and the plant achieved zero waste to landfill. It’s just one example of how CCL Secure supports sustainability by implementing improvements to the banknote production process that can be quantified, and improved over time.
Independent lifecycle analyses published by central banks in Canada, Mexico, and the UK have demonstrated GUARDIAN™ polymer banknotes are more sustainable than their cotton-paper counterparts, across most environmental metrics included in the ISO 9001-14001 standard.
This is because banknotes printed on GUARDIAN substrate last three to five times longer in circulation. Fewer banknotes need to be printed, reducing raw materials use over time and lowering emissions from transport.
Research by El Banco de Mexico found switching to GUARDIAN polymer would reduce emissions by 48.8 per cent when compared with cotton-paper banknotes. The Bank of England reached a similar conclusion, finding the carbon footprint of a GBP5 polymer note is 16 per cent lower than that of cotton-paper, while emissions from of a GBP10 polymer note is 8 per cent lower.
All of CCL Secure’s polymer banknote products can be fully recycled. Once removed from circulation, spent banknotes are converted back into polypropylene pellets and turned into durable, end-of-life products.
"Globally, 85 per cent of GUARDIAN banknotes are being recycled. Our goal is to reach 100 per cent."
- Lachlan McDonald, Technical Manager CCL Secure
That’s why CCL Secure launched the GUARDIAN Global Recycling Program in 2015. It underpins our efforts to support printers and central banks by identifying appropriate recycling facilities, assisting with technical background, providing relevant contacts and setting up supply chains for sustainable outcomes. CCL Secure has also established a network of specialist recycling facilities in key markets to support our goal of ‘zero waste’.
One key example is the recycling plant in Zacapu, Mexico, which was established in 2020 by our sister company, Innovia Films. The plant is designed to provide central banks with access to a simple, streamlined, and proven process for recycling banknotes across Latin America – and has demonstrably increased the rate of recycling.
In 2021, these initiatives were recognised with a Central Banking Award for sustainable practice.