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I've been thinking about something that might sound a little weird, but it's been on my mind: are banknotes organic matter? 
I was looking at a five-dollar bill today and it got me wondering about what it's actually made of. We all know paper comes from trees, which are definitely organic. So does that mean the banknotes in our wallets are, too?
A quick search told me that most paper currency around the world isn't just regular paper. For example, U.S. dollar bills are made of a blend of cotton and linen, not wood pulp. Cotton and linen are both plants, so they're absolutely organic. A lot of other countries use similar blends.
But then I learned that some modern banknotes, like those in Canada, Australia, and the UK, are now made of polymer, which is a type of plastic. Plastic is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel, which is also technically organic in origin since it comes from ancient living organisms. However, the process to turn it into plastic is a complex chemical one. So does that still count?
It seems like the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no." While the base materials for most paper bills are organic (cotton and linen), they've been processed and treated with various inks and chemicals. And then you have the polymer notes, which are a whole different story.
So, what do you all think? Do you consider the bills in your pocket to be organic matter, even if they're not biodegradable in the same way a leaf is? It's a fun little thought experiment. Let me know your thoughts!
I was looking at a five-dollar bill today and it got me wondering about what it's actually made of. We all know paper comes from trees, which are definitely organic. So does that mean the banknotes in our wallets are, too?
A quick search told me that most paper currency around the world isn't just regular paper. For example, U.S. dollar bills are made of a blend of cotton and linen, not wood pulp. Cotton and linen are both plants, so they're absolutely organic. A lot of other countries use similar blends.
But then I learned that some modern banknotes, like those in Canada, Australia, and the UK, are now made of polymer, which is a type of plastic. Plastic is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel, which is also technically organic in origin since it comes from ancient living organisms. However, the process to turn it into plastic is a complex chemical one. So does that still count?
It seems like the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no." While the base materials for most paper bills are organic (cotton and linen), they've been processed and treated with various inks and chemicals. And then you have the polymer notes, which are a whole different story.
So, what do you all think? Do you consider the bills in your pocket to be organic matter, even if they're not biodegradable in the same way a leaf is? It's a fun little thought experiment. Let me know your thoughts!
