Vinyl recycling pilot scheme launched across US independent record stores
Vinyl collectors can drop off unplayable records at LA's Amoeba Music and New York's Rough Trade NYC to be recycled as part of the industry-led pilot programme
The music industry-led vinyl recycling pilot scheme is expanding to several independent record stores in the US.
The Warner Music Group (WMG) and GZ Media pilot programme that tested turning 10,000 unsold records into new high-quality pressings is coming to 11 record stores throughout the US including LA's Amoeba Music, New York's Rough Trade NYC , DC's Home Rule Records and Chicago's Reckless Records, Billboard reports . The shops will serve as collection points for unwanted vinyl to be picked up by "complex waste" company Virterras Materials.
"Independent record stores have long served as gathering places for music fans and stewards of music culture", WMG senior director Madeleine Smith said in a press statement . "[This is] a vital first step in understanding what’s possible".
The vinyl recycling pilot programme shredded the thousands of unwanted, unsold and unplayable records into pieces, that were repressed in various blends of new wax and recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and tested by audio professionals at London's Abbey Road Studios.
"What impressed me was how consistent the pressings were across the different material blends, showing that sustainability and sound quality do not have to be at odds”, Abbey Road Studios mastering engineer Miles Showell said in the May press statement . The blends of 25% recycled PVC with 75% new vinyl material tested to have the highest sound quality.
In 2025, Key Production Group launched a vinyl and CD recycling scheme in the UK .
