Recently, a reporter and senior advisor for the Environmental Working Group reached out with some questions about the sustainability of vinyl records. While we’ve been critical of EWG’s reporting over the years, we were encouraged by their willingness to seek our input for their story. Regrettably, they didn’t include our comments in the final piece. We reached out to ask why none of our quotes made the article, but we didn’t get a response.
We think it’s important that the public have access to both sides of a debate, so that readers may draw their own conclusions based on a complete presentation of the facts. So we’re publishing the information we provided EWG here. Below you will find the questions the reporter posed, along with our responses:
Considering that records are [a] small slice of overall PVC use, why does your organization engage on the issue of vinyl record production?
Through the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), our organization engages with the entire vinyl value chain, including the raw material producers, product manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and user groups. We’re happy to see the resurgence in interest in vinyl records as a durable, value-added approach to musical expression and collection. The VSC published a set of Guiding Principles that we are using to drive stewardship initiatives and responsible production for all vinyl products, regardless of market size.
What is your view of using PET as opposed to PVC? I’m referencing the Dutch Green Vinyl’s formula.
It’s certainly an interesting technology, just like Compact Discs made of polycarbonate. We would advocate for consumers to have their choice of product to deliver the level of quality and function they are seeking. It’s not clear what the durability or service life expectation is, whereas PVC has a well established track record.
One of the main themes of my story is how producing 180 gram records and using “virgin vinyl” as opposed to regrinds are simply marketing techniques. Neither actually has an impact on the audio quality of the final product. Considering how the demand for PVC has shot the price up does your organization believe 180 gram records should be abandoned like Record Store Day has done?
I can’t find the source for the claim that RSD has abandoned 180 gram records – could you please send me that? Nonetheless, we definitely advocate for the use of regrind and recycled content – not just in music media, but in large-volume markets such as building products. The processor determines how to use regrind and recycled content in a manner that allows them to continue to produce a high-quality product that meets the value expectations of the buyer.
Why do US facilities still use lead as a stabilizer even though better alternatives exist?
We advocate for the elimination of lead stabilizers in vinyl records made in the US, even those which use foreign-made compound. US based PVC compounding facilities have not used lead stabilizers for decades. While the vast majority of the record pressing industry have moved away from lead stabilized compounds already, we are only aware of one facility remaining in the US that still uses them.
Any other thoughts on how to make the production of records more environmentally friendly? (I do reference the durability, long life, and collectability of records i.e. they don’t end up in landfills in my story)
We would like to see the US record pressing facilities become partners with Operation Clean Sweep, making a commitment to eliminate uncontrolled release of pellets to the environment. From what I have seen thus far, record pressing facilities are already very clean.