Warner Music Group (WMG) is partnering with a network of independent record stores to launch a vinyl takeback pilot, testing whether damaged and unwanted records can be recycled into new pressings without quality loss.
The initiative follows a joint study by WMG, GZ Media, and Abbey Road Studios that confirmed recycled vinyl can be converted into new records with no audible or structural compromise.
Consumers can drop off vinyl of any condition at participating stores. The collected material will be assessed by Virterras Materials, a company that develops technology for converting waste into usable materials, to determine its suitability for repurposing.
The pilot will examine factors such as participation rates, material quality, transportation logistics, and processing requirements to evaluate whether a comprehensive recycling program is sustainable.
“Independent record stores have long served as gathering places for music fans and stewards of music culture. The pilot brings together retailers, recovery partners, and music fans to explore an important question: what would it take to create practical pathways for recovering unplayable or damaged vinyl records? It’s a vital first step in understanding what’s possible.”
Madeleine Smith, Senior Director, ESG, WMG
