Thousands of records shipped to UK in recycling initiative

Wednesday 23 August 2023

About 40,000 vinyls have been shipped to the UK to find a new home or be recycled.

The LPs and 7” singles had accumulated over the years after donations for annual record fairs, surplus stock from charity shops and from those dropped off at Longue Hougue where the Vale Earth Fair provides a reuse and recycling service.

The Earth Fair contacted UK company Recycle Vinyl and the records were shipped off thanks to funding from the Guernsey Recycling Group.

“We had struggled to find someone interested in taking all the records that we couldn’t sell locally, so it was really appreciated when GRG offered to help find an outlet,” said VEF Collective member Jade Kershaw.

VEF volunteers joined five Mayside Recycling staff to pack boxes of vinyl on to 14 pallets which were then loaded into an articulated trailer for transport.

Recycle Vinyl sell second hand records on-line and primarily deal with dance music, but through their contacts they were able to find a dealer that would make use of the records. Once received in the UK they were sorted into those that could be resold and those that had no commercial value and would need to be sent for recycling into new singles and LPs. 

“With access to wider markets in the UK many of those records which we have struggled to sell locally could find a new home and be appreciated elsewhere, but also we were keen to ensure that those with no real value did not simply end up in landfill.”

Michael Grime, Managing Director of GRG commented: “Finding a reuse solution for these vinyl records is a wonderful outcome. Not only are we avoiding a potential landfill scenario, we have given the records a second chance to be enjoyed by a new music audience. It was a real team effort, and we are delighted to have worked alongside the Vale Earth Fair and Recycle Vinyl to make this happen.” 

As part of the agreement Recycle Vinyl donated £500 to the charity Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, which supports grassroots projects that make a difference to the lives of children and young people in the UK and developing countries through the power of music and art. 

The Vale Earth Fair music festival takes place on Sunday at the Vale Castle from noon. You can win two tickets by signing up to the daily Express news email.

They are also available to buy from www.valeearthfair.org/tickets