Vinyl pressing has a real environmental footprint, from the PVC compound itself through to freight and packaging. Reducing that footprint has been a genuine focus for us, and rather than take our word for it, here's what's been independently recognised.
A low-carbon compound, recognised by Xero
In 2023, Suitcase Records was named a winner in the "Innovating for Environmental Sustainability" category of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund, for developing a low-carbon PVC compound. Xero's own reporting on the award states the compound reduced CO2 output by approximately 92.5% compared with standard vinyl compounds, achieved by replacing a large share of the fossil-fuel-based materials with bio-based ones. Read Xero's coverage of the award here 13 August 2024.
Research backed by a Churchill Fellowship
In 2024, our co-founder Neil Wilson was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship to research emerging sustainable manufacturing techniques in the vinyl record pressing industry, travelling to Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to study how other plants are tackling the same problem. See the Churchill Trust Project Page here
What this looks like day to day
Alongside the compound itself, we regrind our own waste PVC offcuts and any records that don't pass quality control, removing the centre labels and feeding the material back into production rather than sending it to landfill. We don't offer shrinkwrap, since it's single-use plastic with no functional benefit, offering reusable polybags and recycled plastic outer sleeves instead.
Our print partner is held to the same standard
Our printed parts, jackets, inserts, and inner sleeves, are produced by CCS Packaging Sydney in Sydney, whose own sustainability program includes:
● FSC® Chain of Custody certification - meaning card stock can be traced back through the printer, paper merchant, and mill, to a certified, sustainably managed forest
● Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant (APCO) - following industry guidelines to minimise materials and reduce the environmental footprint of packaging design
● 150kW solar installation, comprising over 600 panels, supplying around 25% of the plant's overall energy use
● 100% Australian owned and made
● Recycling of soft plastics, hard plastics, paper, cardboard, and mixed waste across their production process
That means the card stock behind your artwork comes from a supply chain that's independently verified, not just described that way.
Why it matters for your project
Choosing to press locally already cuts down on the shipping miles your record travels before it reaches you. Pairing that with a lower-carbon compound, waste-conscious production, and a certified print partner means the environmental case for pressing in Australia, and with us specifically, holds up to scrutiny, not just marketing language.
Like to talk with us about making your project as sustainable as possible. Contact us here.
