Worn-Out Banknotes Recycled for Handicraft Materials

Jakarta (Antara) - Executive Director of Money Management Department of Bank Indonesia Lambok Antonius Siahaan said on Friday that worn-out banknotes destroyed by Indonesia's central bank is recycled as raw materials for some handicrafts. "Some of the destroyed banknotes is recycled to make some handicraft such as bags and also used for burning materials," Lambok Antonius Siahaan said here on Friday. The Central Bank has been cooperating with some institutions to recycle the worn-out banknotes, that is destroyed everyday by the bank. "They usually use Rp50,000 bill to create blue color, while Rp100,000 is used to make the red one... We are pleased to cooperate with them," Siahaan said. Bank Indonesia in April destroyed Rp6.8 trillion (around 700 million US dollar) worth of banknotes or around 382.9 million sheet. Banknotes in poor condition are destroyed and not to be circulated. "We hope people to treat the note properly to maintain its good condition," Siahaan said. Bank Indonesia recorded Rp392.2 trillion money circulated in Indonesia in April 2013, increased 12.2 percent from last year's April. Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia Ronald Waas said around Rp403 trillion money circulated in May 2013, increased 15-16 percent from 2013 May's. (*)