I wrote a couple of years ago about why I stopped buying new vinyl. I’ve stuck to this resolution pretty much since then. My reasons remain the same – rising costs and rising awareness of the impact of plastic production have totally changed my perspective on music consumption habits.
What I have realised since is that I don’t think it’s really possible to stop buying new vinyl altogether.
There are some genuine collectors items which I had to get – a stunning version of Kacey’s album and a Jason Isbell album of a live show I attended in Dublin earlier this year for instance.
Some albums are only released on vinyl, meaning if you want to support new artists then you have no choice to buy the black (or coloured) plastic.
In terms of the environmental impact I found the ‘Take the Jump’ guidelines really helpful. They don’t say anything about music products specifically but offer fair advice on restricting other things that damage the environment like clothes and flights.
So taking what they said into consideration, going forward I’m keen to only buy one or two new albums a year on vinyl. I think that’s probably quite a fair and realistic way of reducing consumption but having scope to still enjoy life at the same time.
I am still an avid buyer of CDs as this is the main bulk of my existing collection. I still listen mostly to CDs in my house. However sometimes albums are not always available on CD so I need that flexibility to still buy some vinyl. I want to support the artist by buying their music so I will do what I can. I’m just not willing to bankrupt myself or the earth to do so. Plus with rising prices for concert tickets too everyone is getting stretched.
Another way we can be more sustainable is to buy second hand vinyl. You can keep plastic out of landfill and expand your record collection conscience-free.
Well not entirely conscience-free since the artist doesn’t receive any money for when you buy used. So I focus my second hand buying on older or legacy (ie dead) artists who don’t need my direct funding.
I have been volunteering at a local charity shop for the past couple of years and one of my duties involves sorting and pricing the vinyl donations. It’s been illuminating to see what sells and what needs skipped. Some vinyl is just impossible to shift. Other stuff can go for decent money to the right buyer.
What’s heartening is that by buying second hand directly from charity shops is that you are also helping people in need.
Buying second hand from record shops also helps keep these places afloat and gives music fans destinations to frequent. The art of browsing through random stacks of old records is just unmatched. What random finds await you is something no algorithm or online discogs browsing could ever replicate. I love to look through people’s donations for this exact reason. You just get excited by the possibility.
So yes I’m still adding thoughtfully to my vinyl collection through careful second hand purchases. Another sustainable hack is to donate one album for every new one you buy. This helps the charity shops while passing on the joy to the next customer.
Let me know what your strategy for vinyl buying has been in 2025!
Highway Queens 
I am impressed Michelle, but have to admit that vinyl is something I cannot live without. I love the physical presence of vinyl in terms of the sleeves and the vinyl itself particularly since the introduction of coloured vinyl! I prefer the sound of vinyl – it may be imaginary but for me nothing sounds like vinyl. Finally when provided I find lyric sheets invaluable and those supplied with CDs are often unreadable for me.
I don’t buy enormous amounts of vinyl for reasons of money and storage and when I do I try to buy direct from the artist though this is not always possible especially for US artists given astronomical postage costs (which do not benefit the artist herself).
Finally I do several Kickstarter/Crowdfunder pledges every year which the artists always say are the most crucial of all and the vinyl choices enable me to give a decent level of support.
LikeLike