Why vinyl records are still Shrink-Wrapped and why that’s a good thing.

Sustainability conversations often spotlight the most obvious targets first; like ditching shrink-wrap on vinyl records to reduce plastic waste. But that seemingly simple solution misses the complex reality. When it comes to protecting records, a careful, proportionate evaluation backed by facts is key. Let’s unpack why shrink-wrapping remains the go-to choice for vinyl packaging.

Protection That Packs a Punch

Shrink-wrap, applied through a heatshrinking process, offers unparalleled protection. It shields records and sleeves from dust, moisture and ‘seam splits’, all notorious hazards that can occur in transit. Once shrink-wrapped, the record is packed tightly and doesn’t move, even if you shake it vigorously, protecting the edges of inner and outer sleeves. It also protects against especially harmful rapid temperature swings and humidity: shrink-wrap forms a tight, insulating seal to combat these threats.

Distributors and retailers depend on this security. Many insist shrink-wrapped records are the only acceptable form for returns or proof of unsold stock, and buyers expect shrink-wrap as confirmation the record hasn’t been played or tampered with. As a result, fewer records are damaged or discarded before they make it to stores.

Assessing the Ecological Footprint

So, what’s the environmental toll of shrink-wrap? Let’s start with what it is. Most shrink-wrap used on vinyl is LDPE (low density polyethylene), derived from ethylene. Traditionally, ethylene comes from fossil fuels, but today it increasingly comes from renewable sources like used cooking oil fats or wood chips. Ethylene is also one of the two main sources of PVC, the material used to make vinyl records, and the same bio-attributed ethylene is now becoming more common in vinyl records aswell.

LDPE is among the easiest plastics to recycle and, even better, is a high calorific fuel in incineration, releasing only water and CO₂ and crucially, it contains no toxic additives. Most countries collect and recycle PE efficiently, and standard shrink-wrap often contains a high proportion of recycled content. What's more, 100% recycled or even biobased shrink-wrap is now on the market.

But how much shrink-wrap does a single record actually use? Around 3 grams. That 3g of film equates to approximately 7.7g CO₂e - just 1/150th of the entire record’s carbon footprint (around 1.2 kg CO₂e). To put it in relatable terms: one glass of beer has the same footprint as the shrink-wrap on 150 vinyl records. Considering the protection it affords, skipping shrink-wrap would trim only a sliver of the environmental footprint - an effort not worth the cost.

Comparing Alternatives

Could we swap shrink-wrap for PVC bags, or flimsy polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) sleeves? In most cases, no. Other sleeves can be 10 – 20 times heavier and contribute 50 times more CO₂. Even if buyers keep them and reuse them long term, these alternatives fail to deliver the level of protection offered by shrink-wrap during shipping. What’s more, they often don’t meet returns requirements, which can make them a regulatory headache.

That’s not to say that premium PVC sleeves don’t have a place - think high end or collector releases for fans. But for standard pressing and shipping, shrink-wrap is still the most balanced option in terms of protection, weight, recyclability, and CO₂ footprint.

Conclusion

Shrink-wrapping isn’t just something we do out of habit - it’s a carefully considered, balanced choice. It offers great protection, minimal material use, good recyclability, and a low carbon footprint. Alternatives either compromise protection, add weight (and CO₂), or introduce ‘returns’ complications. When viewed proportionately, shrink-wrap proves to be the smart, sustainable option for vinyl.