Not Just a Broken Record
This story first appeared in Elkhart High School’s ‘The Pennant’ on May 30, 2024.
In recent years, the resurgence of vinyl records has taken the music industry by storm. Famous artists such as Taylor Swift, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, and numerous others have embraced the nostalgic appeal of vinyl, often releasing “album variants” — slightly different designs of the same album. While this trend has rekindled a love for physical music formats, it also raises environmental concerns that cannot be ignored.
Vinyl records are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic derived from petroleum. The production of PVC involves harmful chemicals such as chlorine, which can release dioxins — a group of highly toxic compounds that are hazardous to both human health and the environment. The entire process, from extraction to manufacturing, leaves a significant carbon footprint.
The introduction of variants in vinyl records has become a marketing strategy to boost sales. Fans may feel compelled to purchase multiple versions of the same album due to the differences in aesthetics, as well as simply wanting to “collect them all,” leading to an increase in production. For instance, Taylor Swift’s Midnights album was released with four different cover designs and multiple colored vinyls, including jade green, blood moon, and mahogany. Similarly, Ariana Grande released Positions with several variants, including deluxe editions with exclusive covers and limited edition green and clear vinyls.
K-pop groups are also prominent players in the variant game. BTS’s BE album had multiple versions with different photo books and poster sets, enticing fans to collect them all. Blackpink’s The Album was released with four different versions, each featuring unique covers, photo books, and postcards.
This practice exacerbates the environmental impact. Each variant requires additional resources — more PVC, more packaging materials, and more shipping. This not only increases the carbon footprint but also contributes to plastic waste, as records can eventually end up in landfills.
The biggest motive behind releasing multiple variants is to drive sales. By creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency, artists and record labels pressure fans to purchase all available versions. This strategy artificially boosts album sales, which results in chart success. Dedicated fans each buying multiple copies of the same album can significantly impact the album’s position on the charts, giving the artist a competitive edge. However, this marketing tactic comes at an environmental cost.
In numerous interviews, singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has been vocal about the environmental problems of vinyl production. She has taken steps to mitigate her impact by using eco-friendly materials for her merchandise and reducing plastic usage wherever possible. For her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? she opted for a more sustainable approach, such as using recycled materials for packaging and vinyl production. Editors note: Eilish clarified her stance on vinyl in an interview with Teen Vogue, released April 2, 2024.
Photo by Sofia Alejandra, courtesy of Pexels.
The music industry, like many others, is at a crossroads. While the appeal of vinyl records is undeniable, the environmental cost is too high to ignore. Artists, record labels, and consumers must work together to find more sustainable solutions, such as reducing the number of variants to minimize unnecessary production, investing in research to develop more sustainable alternatives to PVC, encouraging recycling and proper disposal of vinyl records, and promoting digital and streaming formats which have a significantly lower environmental impact.
It is important to note, however, that while vinyl has had these negative impacts, the overall carbon footprint of recorded music must also be considered. Although digital streaming seems eco-friendly and sustainable on the surface, it involves significant energy consumption due to data centers and server farms. These facilities require large amounts of electricity to store and process the streaming data, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental damage as well. Therefore, no format is entirely without environmental cost, and the music industry as a whole must address these issues comprehensively.
As fans, we need to weigh our love for physical music against the importance of protecting our planet. The responsibility lies not only with the artists and the industry but with each of us to make informed choices that prioritize sustainability over collectibles. Only through collective action can we hope to mitigate the environmental impact of our love for vinyls.
