Five of the independent music sector’s most significant label groups have announced a joint recycled vinyl campaign, launching on World Environment Day, 5th June.

Secretly Group, Exceleration Music, Warp Records, Ninja Tune and Beggars Group have partnered with Music Declares Emergency and The Music Climate Pact to press a series of releases using 100 per cent reclaimed vinyl, available at retail in the UK, US and Canada as well as direct to consumer.

Vinyl production represents the largest source of manufacturing emissions for most record labels. Secretly Group has already cut its manufacturing carbon footprint by 70 per cent against a 2023 baseline through close work with its pressing plants. The recycled vinyl campaign represents the next step, pooling resources and audience across five label groups to demonstrate that reclaimed materials can produce commercially viable, high-quality releases. “Increasing recycled vinyl production and partaking in a collective effort are the next pieces of the puzzle in making our industry a more sustainable one,” said Ben Swanson, co-founder and chief operations officer of Secretly Group.

The inaugural release list spans five decades of independent music. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago, Elliott Smith’s Roman Candle and Dinosaur Jr.’s You’re Living All Over Me sit alongside Black Country, New Road’s Forever Howlong, Bonobo’s Black Sands, Warp’s Artificial Intelligence compilation and Tubeway Army’s self-titled debut. All releases land on 5th June.

Full release list:

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar)

Elliott Smith – Roman Candle (Kill Rock Stars)

Hella – Hold Your Horse Is (Kill Rock Stars / 5 Rue Christine)

Chuck Prophet – Wake The Dead (Yep Roc Records)

Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth (Yep Roc Records)

Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me (Jagjaguwar)

Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong (Ninja Tune)

Bonobo – Black Sands (Ninja Tune)

Various Artists – Artificial Intelligence (Warp Records)

Tubeway Army – Tubeway Army (Beggars Banquet)

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