Sharp’s Brewery creates ‘first’ record from recycled ocean plastic

Cornish brewery Sharp’s has partnered with Havas London and Mercury Prize nominated artist Nick Mulvey to create the “industry’s first” playable record made from recycled plastic washed up on beaches.

Released in order raise funds to protect British coastlines and reduce single use plastic, the proceeds from the record sales will go to Surfers Against Sewage, a charity that aims to protect the British coastline from pollution.

The record itself, referred to as an ocean vinyl, was made from clear plastic washed up on beaches that has been processed and pressed with multi-coloured plastic shavings to create a mottled effect. It bolsters the music industry’s efforts to boost its sustainable credentials and tackle the use of single-use plastic at concerts and gigs.

Of the track, entitled In the Anthropocene, singer and songwriter Mulvey said: “Lyrically the song explores themes of responsibility and freedom in this time of urgent ecological and social crisis (and opportunity), aka ‘the Anthropocene.”

The track is available to stream via digital channels including Spotify and Apple Music while the record can be bought in store at Drift Records or online at driftrecords.com.

Senior brand manager and marketing controller at Sharp’s, James Nicholls, commented: “Cornish culture is built around the ocean – whether that’s seafood, surfing or even our own Atlantic Ale. Last year, we helped the ocean enter the charts, under Keynvor – which means ‘Ocean’ in the Cornish language.

“I’m excited to say that today we’re really turning the tables on the music industry by releasing ‘In the Anthropocene’, with Nick Mulvey –by upcycling single-use plastic found on our beaches and turning it into playable ‘ocean vinyl’.”

Artist Nick Mulvey added: ‘I’ve always loved the wildness of the Cornish coast and it feeds something deep in me every time I’m there. My music is about knowing who – or what – we are, right at the core. Aliveness itself, conscious.

“These times of urgent global crisis are demanding we re-examine ourselves and the world and raise ourselves to match the Earth, this wonder-organism from which we are not, and never have been, separate.”

Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage: “We are excited to be partnering with Sharp’s Brewery again to raise vital funds to protect our coastlines from plastic pollution and other environmental hazards.

“Keynvor, as a musical artist, and the new ‘ocean vinyl’, which uses plastic pollution and turns it into something positive, is a powerful way to help us raise money and continue to spread our message.”