Today (March 18) is World Recycling Day, and in its honour, Key Production Group have welcomed a recycling scheme for damaged vinyl and CDs, supported by UK indie record stores.
Reintroducing the initiative, which was originally launched in 2020, its aim supported the reusability of CDs and vinyls, saving them from the devastating impact of landfills. However, the Covid pandemic initially cut the scheme short – but has been reinstated again.
Independent record stores such as Rough Trade and Sister Ray are set to pilot the new service that welcomes vinyl records, CDs, and their packaging – no matter the size or condition – for eco-friendly recycling. Vinyl records and CDs are crafted from distinct plastics – vinyl from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and CDs from polycarbonate – both of which can linger in landfills for centuries before breaking down.
Building on its own insights, Key Production Group has revamped the service in response to the vinyl resurgence and the growing popularity of records among Gen Z – this claim comes from a 2023 study which showed vinyl sales had grown by nearly 15% in the first nine months of the year. Music lovers can easily send their vinyl records and CDs to Key Production Recycling, where they undergo a process known as mechanical recycling. The records and discs are shredded into small fragments, then transported off-site to be melted down. The resulting material is transformed into granules of recycled PVC and polycarbonate, which are then supplied to manufacturers to use in new products.
The announcement comes in light of an increasing demand for sustainability within the music industry, with vinyl production companies adopting a environmentally-friendly approach. John Service, Strategy and Sustainability Director of Key Production Group commented, “Sustainablity is a vital part of our identity here at Key Production Group and the idea to develop Key Production Recycling was born from our commitment to understanding and managing the lifecycle of physical music products, prompting us to ask: what happens when they can no longer be used. We are so excited to be working with labels and record stores across the country and allow the public to utilise something that is so beneficial in extending a product’s lifespan.”
Managing Director of Rough Trade, Lawrence Montgomery, continued: “Being able to provide a solution that’s not only sustainable but that will also have a positive impact on the life cycle of a product is really important to us at Rough Trade. Key Production Recycling is and will continue to be beneficial for us at Rough Trade and our facilities and we’re lucky to be able to use this great system!”
Record sales are expected to soar again ahead of the 18th edition of Record Store Day April 12. The event will showcase more than 270 independent record shops nationwide, with thousands more participating worldwide. As tradition dictates, the celebration will include a lineup of in-store parties and a tribute to the vibrant culture of indie record stores.
