Vinyl lovers, let’s talk waste. Whether you’ve inherited a dusty pile of scratched records or your once-loved LPs are warped beyond play, the question is the same: what do you actually do with them? While vinyl’s comeback shows no sign of slowing down, its environmental impact remains complicated.
Here’s a no-nonsense guide for vinyl collectors, music fans, and sustainability-minded listeners looking to handle their old records responsibly, without adding to the planet’s plastic problem.
Can you recycle vinyl records?
Technically, yes, but it’s not simple.
Vinyl records are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a durable plastic that’s neither biodegradable nor accepted in most curbside recycling programs. Worse, if burned or dumped in landfill, PVC can release toxic dioxins, lead, and phthalates into the environment. So no, you can’t just chuck your old LPs in the green bin or torch them in the backyard. Please don’t.
But that doesn’t mean they’re destined for the dump. You’ve got better options.
First, try to reuse or donate
Before recycling, ask yourself: Is it still playable? If the answer’s yes, give that record a second chance.
- Sell it: Local record shops, Discogs, eBay, and vinyl groups on social media are all good bets. Some stores, like Rough Trade Vintage, in the UK actively buy used records.
- Donate it: Thrift shops, libraries, music schools, and art programs often welcome old vinyl.
- Gift it: Vintage records make thoughtful presents for fellow music lovers and it’s a lot more personal than an Amazon voucher.
Keeping playable records in circulation is the greenest thing you can do.
What to do with damaged vinyl
Let’s say your record’s cracked, warped, or scratched beyond repair. You’ve got two options: get creative or recycle.
1. Upcycle old vinyl into something new
If you’re handy (or just keen), there’s no shortage of ways to turn unplayable vinyl into something stylish, useful, or downright weird:
- Vinyl Wall Art: Frame the sleeve or decorate the disc itself.
- Clocks: Add a clock mechanism through the centre hole and call it retro chic.
- Coasters or Bowls: Carefully heat vinyl to reshape it into small dishes or drinks coasters.
- Bookends or Garden Decor: Form and paint old records into functional objects.
- Jewellery: Turn small pieces of vinyl into earrings or pendants.
For more ideas, check out creators on Etsy or Instagram turning old records into decor and fashion.
2. Recycle through specialist programmes
If you’re set on recycling, it’s possible, but don’t expect your local recycling bin to help.
PVC is classed as resin code 3, and only a handful of specialist recycling facilities accept it. These centres shred old records into pellets and reuse the material for non-music products, usually in construction or industrial packaging.
Here’s what you should do:
- Contact your local recycling centre to see if they accept PVC or can direct you to a relevant facility.
- Look for e-waste and hazardous materials drop-offs, which sometimes accept old records.
- Never burn vinyl, even in controlled settings. It’s highly toxic and harmful to human health.
Sites like Evergreen Environmental and Freestyle Vinyl offer further guidance.
Cleaning before recycling
If you’re donating, selling, or recycling, clean records the right way:
- Use distilled water with a drop of mild detergent.
- Wipe with a microfibre cloth in circular motions along the grooves.
- Let air dry completely before storing or shipping.
Good cleaning habits not only make records last longer, but also help keep recyclables free from contaminants.
Vinyl recycling vs. eco-friendly alternatives
There’s also the matter of future purchases. If you’re committed to vinyl but also care about sustainability, consider:
EcoRecords
Several manufacturers now press records using recycled PET plastic, such as old bottles, rather than PVC. These “eco-vinyl” releases are fully recyclable and maintain similar audio quality to traditional vinyl.
Look out for:
- Green Vinyl Records (Netherlands)
- Evolution Music (UK)
- Programme initiatives from indie labels pressing limited runs on recycled materials
The Bottom Line
Recycling vinyl isn’t straightforward, but it’s far from impossible.
If your old records can still be played, share them. If they’re beyond saving, get creative or contact a specialist recycler. And next time you buy, consider supporting artists and labels using recycled or eco-friendly materials.
Vinyl might be vintage, but your habits don’t have to be.
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