Actually since we use polymer bills here in Canada the bills last at least 2.5 times as long as 'paper' (cotton) money. They are significantly more environmentally friendly to make, durable and will be recycled instead of destroyed or burnt at the end of their life. They are also immensely more secure with many security features. And of course really easy to tell the difference between the dominations. www.bankofcanada.ca/.../polymer/