British band Coldplay will reissue nine of their albums on vinyl records made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, thereby reducing the carbon emissions associated with physical music production.
The band, known for its sustainability efforts, will use 140g EcoRecords composed of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Each record is made from roughly nine recycled bottles, with the manufacturing process reportedly reducing carbon emissions by 85 per cent compared to traditional vinyl production.
“This shift to EcoRecord LP for their releases is a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets intention,” said Jen Ivory, managing director at Parlophone, Coldplay’s record label. “It’s about pioneering manufacturing that significantly reduces environmental impact, while providing fans with the same high-quality audio experience.”
EcoRecords utilise injection-moulding technology to produce lightweight, durable records that are easier to ship and have a lower environmental impact. The discs are created by cleaning, processing, and moulding plastic bottle pellets into playable LPs.
The move builds on Coldplay’s previous efforts to cut their environmental footprint. Their 2024 album Moon Music was the first to be released using the EcoRecord format, and their ongoing Music of the Spheres world tour has already cut emissions by 59 per cent compared to their 2016–17 stadium tour, surpassing their target of 50 per cent.
Coldplay joins a growing list of artists—including Massive Attack and Billie Eilish—seeking to make the music industry more sustainable.
