Here’s a shocking truth: the vinyl records we love are quietly contributing to environmental harm. But what if we could change that? Musicians and industries are now exploring innovative ways to make vinyl more sustainable, and it’s about time. Australian artist Stella Donnelly, for instance, spent three years crafting her album Love and Fortune, treating it like a meticulously written book. But her attention to detail didn’t stop at the music—she also focused on the environmental impact of the physical record itself. 'As humans, we leave a trail of trash behind us,' she reflects. 'As a musician, I feel like that’s even more so.'
And this is the part most people miss: Donnelly’s album is made from regrind vinyl, a sustainable option that uses factory offcuts and unused vinyl melted down to create new records. 'All those bits that were headed for the bin ended up on my record,' she explains. This approach not only reduces waste but also challenges the industry to think differently. But here’s where it gets controversial: while regrind vinyl is a step in the right direction, it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The vinyl revival, driven by nostalgia and a shift away from streaming platforms, has brought its own set of environmental challenges.
Vinyl records are made from PVC, a plastic polymer, and their production is fossil fuel-intensive. Dr. Kyle Devine, author of Decomposed: The Political Ecology of Music, points out the irony: 'The same people who buy organic groceries and drive electric cars are often the ones heavily invested in vinyl records—products of the fossil fuel and plastics industries.' So, is streaming a better alternative? Not necessarily. While streaming is more energy-efficient per listen, the constant energy demand of streaming infrastructure complicates the comparison. 'Streaming is more efficient, but the sheer volume of streaming outruns its own efficiency,' Dr. Devine notes.
But here’s the real question: Can vinyl ever be truly sustainable? Emerging options like bio-vinyl, made from used cooking oil, offer promise. Billie Eilish’s 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft was released in bio-vinyl variants, and Melbourne’s Program Records is experimenting with this material too. Meanwhile, innovations like records made from PET (the plastic in water bottles) and even sugar are being explored. Yet, the biggest polluter in the vinyl supply chain remains air freight. Berish Bilander, CEO of Green Music Australia, emphasizes, 'Locally pressing records where they’re sold will make the biggest difference.'
And this is the part that sparks debate: With artists like Taylor Swift releasing dozens of vinyl variants, are we incentivizing excess consumption? Bilander argues, 'It’s a terrible look and awful for the environment. We don’t need 40 versions of one album.' But artists like Stella Donnelly are proving that change is possible. 'This is just the start for me in trying to implement more environmental shifts in my practices,' she says. The goal? A world where vinyl records can be fully recycled into new products or even park benches.
So, what do you think? Is the vinyl industry doing enough to go green, or is it just scratching the surface? Are consumers willing to pay more for sustainable options? Let’s keep the conversation going—the planet depends on it.
