Coldplay turns ocean plastic into music with limited edition recycled vinyl
Coldplay is making waves in sustainability by releasing limited-edition vinyl records made from recycled plastic recovered from rivers. Instead of producing new materials, these eco-friendly records repurpose waste that would otherwise contribute to marine pollution—an example of the circular economy in action.
The initiative sheds light on the growing plastic crisis: 12 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, and just 1,000 rivers account for 80% of that pollution.
By 2050, scientists warn that plastic in the ocean could outweigh fish. Meanwhile, traditional vinyl production contributes to millions of kilograms of plastic waste annually. Coldplay’s project showcases how creativity and technology can merge to tackle environmental challenges, setting a precedent for sustainable music production.
- To put the plastic pollution in perspective:
- 12 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually. This is equivalent to dumping a truckload of plastic into the ocean every single minute.
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is 80,000 metric tonnes of plastic. This is the same weight as 500 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes just floating in the ocean.
- Just 1,000 of the world’s most polluted rivers account for 80% of ocean plastic pollution. Just 1,000 highways are polluting waste into the sea.
- By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. On current trajectories.
- Traditional vinyl records contribute to millions of kilograms of plastic waste each year. This is the start of circularity in action.
Source: The Ocean Cleanup
