It’s still paper, not cloth— the fibers aren’t woven in any particular pattern. It is made with the sorts of fibers you’re more likely to find in textiles, though: cotton and linen in place of wood pulp.

Polymer banknotes are perhaps more environmentally friendly compared to its counterpart due to its durability (resulting in fewer banknotes being manufactured). They can also be recycled after its life in circulation. On the other hand, cotton/linen banknotes are typically shredded and landfilled after their circulation life.

What is wrong with landfilling biodegradable material?

It's extremely wasteful to produce them: https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/12/17337602/plastic-tote-bag...

It would be better if they composted it.

You would think that currency would be one of the least likely things to accidentally end up in the environment, though.

I think it's also a case of recognizability. If the Treasury / Bureau of Engraving and Printing switched to a material like plastic, I'd expect there to be a long period where people — particularly in far-flung places in the world — don't trust that the new currency they're given are actually US currency.

In the podcast they said they have a machine that folds it repeatedly. They need 5000 folds before tearing instead of the typical 50 for printer paper.

I also found it a little comical about the denied FOIA request for the profitability of the company.

5000 sounds like a low standard, especially because I fold my money each time I open and close my wallet (billfold style)

Maybe they meant folded as if it was creased. Most wallets do not need bills to be creased to fold.

When you figure that 5000 is equivalent to about 2 folds a week for 50 years, it seems reasonable.

This is why I discovered that my wallet tears my money when I switched to a billfold.