New polymer £5 note released in the UK today

Make money out of oil, what could go wrong?

Polymer notes are also better for the environment. This is because they last longer and so we have to print fewer notes, which means less energy is used in manufacturing and cash transportation. When a polymer note has reached the end of its life it will be recycled into new plastic products.

Oh yes, I'm sure the manufacturing of plastic is much more environmentally friendly than paper, and the yield of recycling plastic is much higher and more efficient than recycling paper.

Something interesting that doesn't happen in the USA when updated currency is introduced:

In May 2017 paper £5 notes will cease to be legal tender and will no longer be accepted by shops.