Cash may be one of the oldest forms of payment, but the systems and technologies that protect it continue to evolve. While much of the industry conversation focuses on digital payments and emerging financial technologies, the reality is that billions of dollars in physical currency still move through the retail and banking ecosystem every day. Ensuring that cash remains secure throughout that journey is a critical responsibility—and one that often goes unnoticed.
In a recent episode of CashViews, DTS Connex' Jason Stambaugh sat down with Brad Moody, Executive Vice President at ControlTek, to discuss the company's latest innovation: the EcoLOK4 tamper-evident cash deposit bag.
For many organizations, tamper-evident bags are a vital part of daily operations. These bags secure cash at the end of a business day, protect deposits during transportation, and help maintain accountability as funds move from retailers to financial institutions for processing. Although they may seem like a simple commodity, these products play an essential role in the cash supply chain.
Throughout its 50-year history, ControlTek has built a reputation for innovation, continuously looking for ways to improve security, durability, and value in tamper-evident packaging. According to Moody, the company's approach has always been focused on asking an important question: How can we make a great product even better?
That mindset led to the development of EcoLOK4.
The EcoLOK4 tamper-evident deposit bag was designed to deliver the same trusted security features customers expect while addressing another growing priority: sustainability. Traditionally, tamper-evident bags have relied heavily on plastic resin materials. EcoLOK4 introduces a more environmentally conscious approach without compromising performance, visibility, or protection. At its core, the EcoLOK4 is comprised of 90% post-consumer recycled content product. Unlike traditional recycled tamper-evident bags, which are made from post-industrial recycled (PIR) plastic, the EcoLOK4 is made from the actual waste from households, versus scraps collected after manufacturing.
With the EcoLOK4, customers do not have to sacrifice security to gain environmental benefits. The EcoLOK4 maintains the same closure mechanisms, tamper-evident features, and transparency standards that store operators rely on every day. Users can still easily view deposit information, identify serial numbers on currency, and monitor deposits through CCTV systems throughout the transportation and processing cycle.
In addition to its environmental advantages, EcoLOK4 offers meaningful cost efficiencies. As resin prices continue to fluctuate, organizations are increasingly looking for solutions that balance performance with affordability. By delivering a comparable product at a competitive cost while reducing environmental impact, the EcoLOK4 has quickly gained traction among customers seeking practical ways to modernize their cash operations.
The strong market adoption reflects a broader trend across the industry. Financial institutions, retailers, and cash logistics providers are no longer focused solely on security. They are also evaluating sustainability initiatives and seeking partners that can help them meet both operational and environmental objectives.
As the cash industry continues to evolve, innovations like EcoLOK4 demonstrate that even long-established processes can benefit from fresh thinking. Cash remains a critical component of the global payments ecosystem, and companies like ControlTek continue to push the industry forward by finding new ways to improve efficiency, security, and sustainability.