In the past few decades, we have also seen recycled vinyl records being used in the eye fashion industry. Today, in this blog, we will explore the importance of recycling vinyl by shedding light on its environmental impact.
The rise of vinyl: versatility with consequences
Vinyl’s popularity
Do you ever wonder why vinyl is getting so much into the trend? The simple reason lies behind its versatility, durability (i.e. it can last for longer as compared to your traditional eyewear), and cost-effectiveness. Yes, materials made up of vinyl come at a very affordable cost.
The environmental challenge
Although vinyl is considered a very good element to create so many materials, it is of major challenge to the environment as well because it is nonbiodegradable. Once thrown away, it just stays there for longer and creates harmful emissions. And the thing is that these harmful emissions can even create many serious problems for human life as well like cancer.
Why is vinyl recycling important?
As we have learned the consequences vinyl creates for the environment, let us move forward to understanding what recycled vinyl is. As the term itself says very clearly, “recycling of vinyl” involves creating something new, for example, eco-friendly sunglasses, with the help of previously existing vinyl items. In many cases, you can also observe brands using recycled vinyl records to make eco-friendly eyeglasses. But why is it very important to recycle vinyl? Let’s find out below.
Reducing landfill waste
As you know vinyl is a nonbiodegradable element and hence, it can lead to a lot of waste piling up in landfills. By using all that waste to make new materials, for example: glasses made from recycled materials are in trend today, it can be a major hand in preventing the overflow of nonbiodegradable and toxic materials like vinyl in the environment.
Conserving natural resources
Keeping vinyl recycling aside, even the process of producing vinyl from scratch involves the use of nonrenewable natural resources, for example: petroleum and natural gas. So when they are producing vinyl, we should understand that because these resources are finite (limited), vinyl won’t stay with us for longer. As these nonrenewable resources will deplete completely, The vinyl products will also go away. But by using recycled vinyl records, we can for sure conserve these natural resources and keep them for future generations to come.
Reducing harmful emissions
The process of producing vinyl to make either eco-friendly sunglasses or other sustainable substances releases so many harmful pollutants in the environment. In the case of vinyl particularly, we can see that dioxins get released in too much amount which can create serious health issues like cancer and many development problems in humans as well as animals. By shaking hands with recycled vinyl, there will not be any process of producing it from scratch, hence, there will be a major hand in reducing those harmful emissions that come out during the production process.
Preventing plastic pollution
Similar to other plastics, vinyl can also be a very serious threat to the environment. Think to yourself what will happen if instead of vinyl recycling, it directly goes into oceans or other ecosystems. What will happen? Will it not cause plastic pollution and as a result, marine animals will suffer from the consequences? Exactly, this is what will happen. But do not worry as you can prevent this toxic plastic pollution by getting into practices like introducing glasses made from recycled materials that the eye fashion industry has introduced recently.
The future of vinyl recycling
As technology is also growing, we can see a major change in the field of recycling vinyl-related products as well. There are innovations going on in chemical recycling which will involve breaking down vinyl into its basic chemical components so that it can become more efficient and environment friendly during the recycling process. By breaking it down into its basic elements, it will not be a serious threat for the environment.
Conclusion
Using recycled vinyl records to make useful substances is a positive step towards helping the environment become sustainable for future generations to come. And, it is important to understand its significance as it helps reduce waste ending up in landfills for so long in addition to protecting human life and the environment collectively.
