The best way to be an eco-responsible music-lover is to stay informed. So let’s take a look at the options...
Vinyl LPs are made of PVC plastic, a toxic substance that’s hard to recycle. Music fans love LPs for their pure audio quality. Plus, digging through vintage records at yard sales and thrift stores has become a favorite national past-time. The good news is, old vinyl produces no new vinyl.
The bad news is, even old LPs are subject to the “anti-vintage-fur” argument: You’re making bad stuff hip. As for disposal, when records go in the trash, they may be incinerated or crushed and release toxins. Playing LPs is probably not going to harm you or your family, so feel free to keep your record collection. Or at least keep it out of the trash.
Compact discs and DVDs contain various mined metals like aluminum, gold, silver and nickel along with petroleum-derived plastics, lacquers and dyes. Products with thin layers of different materials mixed together are nearly impossible to recycle.
CDs end up in landfills, seeping into the groundwater which is harmful to people and animals. Unfortunately, alternatives like cardboard, paper, and corn-derived plastic substitutes, are less durable and cost-prohibitive. So we’re still waiting for a great mainstream alternative.
MP3s. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, digital sales now account for over 30 percent of all U.S. music sales and at least 15 percent globally. Unfortunately, electronic music storage devices, such as MP3 players, are filled with heavy metals that release toxins when destroyed.
But consumer pressure is forcing computer manufacturers to recycle responsibly, so are you better off looking to Steve Jobs than to music executives?
With all these options, what’s the best way to minimize your impact? Here’s what we recommend:
1. Disposal:
- Dispose with care. Get rid of CDs and DVDs responsibly. For a small processing fee you can send old CDs and DVDs to GreenDisk.
- Dispose of electronics responsibly. Ask about take-back programs before you buy or try Green Citizen.
2. Buy Responsibly:
- Going digital: Transfer your music to MP3 format. Buying music in digital format is the greenest way to practice music appreciation.
- Research your purchases. Buy electronic devices only from environmentally responsible manufacturers.
- Recycle the vinyl: Buy only used vinyl and spread the word about spinning new PVC.
Richard E. says:
PVC (polyvinyl chloride, or simply vinyl) itself is not toxic. The vinyl chloride that it is made from is. Improper incineration of PVC may also produce toxic byproducts (including dioxin).
Shredding or crushing PVC may release plasticizers that are added to make the plastic soft. I do not know what additives are used to produce vinyl records.
Going digital has many benefits. The easiest way to the impact of your digitial music player by keeping it longer. Don't fall in to the trap of frequent upgrading.
Jay G. says:
PVC isn't toxic when it's a fence or a record, rather it's highly carcinogenic in the creation and the disposal, whether it leeches toxins into the groundwater (bad) or into the air through incineration (really bad). To get a good introduction to PVC check out the fun vid @ http://www.samsuds.com/
Kristen S. says:
If you buy your songs from iTunes, use Tunesfortrees.com. They vow to plant a tree for each 10 tracks bought! That way, you can save the environment on several levels - nothing to recycle or mail and a tree gets planted. It's free and a win-win.
Shira K. says:
Awesome tip! Thanks, Kristin.