Clean CDs

By now, you must have realized that there’s always a better way to do everything. Cars can use cleaner fuel, wastewater can be reused, and old computers can be donated to other companies and people who need them. But did you know that there’s also a cleaner, greener way to produce CDs?

Okay, perhaps polycarbonate plastic is a long way from getting phased out from the production of the actual discs. It’s what makes CDs what they are after all, although in 2003, Sanyo has begun experimenting with using a corn-derived polymer in its video compact discs and CD-ROMs. 2004 also saw Sony’s first steps into developing paper discs which can hold up to 25 GB of data.

Thus far, not a lot of companies has taken this up and instead have focused on better ways to package compact discs. Several independent record companies have already begun distributing their CDs with this new kind of packaging.

One of these is Earthology Records, a non-profit record label. It prides itself on using recycled paper for its CD inserts as well as recyclable plastic for its jewel cases, although it uses cardboard cases as much as possible, as well as soy inks for the printing and water-based lacquer. That way, if they are ever to be disposed, they won’t pose a toxic threat to the environment, unlike CD packages from major music companies which tend to be produced using non-recyclable materials and synthetic inks.

Shrinkwrapping CDs is also an important consideration, especially in shipping and mailing. The plastic sleeve protecting the CD case is generally made of polyvinyl chloride, the production of which causes toxins to be released into the air and is non-biodegradable. But Earthology Records is currently working on shrinkwrap made of biodegradable corn cellulose. Before this can be completed, the company is using Low Density Polyethylene which when burned releases nothing but water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Other record labels using eco-friendly CD packaging are Terno Recordings in the Philippines, which uses cardboard/chipboard sleeves, and the LA-based Groove House Records. Not only do they use vegetable-based inks and water-based lacquer, they also recycle plastic CD jewel cases and use cardboard sleeves as cases for its discs, too.