Can You Recycle Vinyl

There are over 100 vinyl recyclers in the u s.

Can you recycle vinyl.

Although more difficult to recycle than some other plastics vinyl also known as polyvinyl chloride pvc and plastic 3 can be melted down and repurposed. It is not always accepted by municipal recycling programs so you may want to check before throwing it in your curbside bin. There have been significant improvements over the past 20 years claims christian barcan vice president sustainability industry affairs for the vi. However you can get in contact with recycling firms through a list available on the internet find out if anyone wishes to strip the vinyl from the backing and use that to recycle.

The harmful chemicals that make vinyl records so difficult to recycle can be released into the ground and air over time so it is important to keep records out of the waste stream. A lot of people like to keep them looking just the way the are other people like to paint them or cover them. I prefer to upcycle things rather than just throw them away and fortunately there are tons of super cute ways to recycle a vinyl record. It is amazing to me how easily vinyl siding can be recycled.

Early vinyl records spun at an rpm speed of 78 until 1949 when 45 and 33 rpm s were developed. Records were the only way to listen to recorded music until cassette tapes became available. Plastic vinyl is recyclable. What is more impressive is the industry s commitment to continuously improve its waste management efforts through re use.

The vinyl industry would like to see more products diverted from the landfill and into recycling streams. Vinyl industry is addressing in its industry wide sustainability initiative know as vantage vinyl. Interested in learning more about recycling in the vinyl industry. Vinyl plank boarding can often not be recycled whole and may end up in a trash bin because of this.

The good news is there are some great ways to upcycle vinyl records. Landfill diversion is one of the impact categories the u s. Vinyl records were created decades ago with the first developed around the time of 1890 according to 78rpm. Records can be reused as is or crafted into new products.

Typically vinyl is picked up at landfills by recycling facilities but you can also search the database of recycling facilities on the vinyl institute website and search state by state for available facilities see resources. You may want to inquire at your local landfill or dump area for vinyl recycling facilities. Tune in to the virtual vinyl recycling summit which will be hosted via webinar on june 18 2020 you can find out more information about the event here. When you can t use an item for its intended purpose you can either trash it or upcycle it.

It doesn t matter what thrift store you go to you ll likely find vinyl records.