Rega, renowned for its high-end turntables and audio equipment, has announced the launch of its latest sustainability initiative: the Green Grade Planar 3 ECO Special, set to hit shelves in May 2025. This groundbreaking product underscores Rega’s commitment to environmental responsibility by reusing damaged or cosmetically imperfect parts, dramatically reducing waste in both manufacturing and disposal processes.
Historically, many damaged parts have ended up in landfills, a practice Rega vehemently opposes. The company’s dedicated rework and recycling team typically salvages components, but certain cosmetic faults—often caused by mishandling or transport—have previously been discarded as unrecoverable. Recognizing the broader environmental impact, Rega decided to alter its approach.
Minimize waste
Inspired by the growing global movement to minimize waste—akin to the “wonky fruit” trend in the UK—the company now repurposes these imperfect components to create the Green Grade series. These products perform flawlessly, uphold Rega’s rigorous quality standards, and are backed by the same limited lifetime warranty as their traditional counterparts, albeit excluding cosmetic defects.
Green Grade
The May 2025 Green Grade offering revolves around a specially designated Planar 3 model, dubbed the ECO Special. It features aluminium skin edition metal plinths with minor imperfections, identifiable through unique stickers and badges. The deck is compatible with Rega’s Neo PSU (not included) and utilizes other recycled components such as platters, dustcovers, and tonearms, as available. Notably, the ECO decks are distinguished by non-silkscreened logos on the plinths, emphasizing their Green Grade status.
A grade standards
While performance remains uncompromised—a hallmark of Rega’s reputation—the ECO series is offered at a significantly reduced price of £499, compared to the standard Planar 3’s £695. The decks will pass all stringent testing procedures to meet ‘A’ grade standards, ensuring audiophiles receive a product that is both environmentally responsible and high-quality.
This initiative exemplifies Rega’s broader non-profit effort to minimize environmental impact by extending the lifecycle of parts and reducing manufacturing waste. By adopting Green Grade products, consumers contribute to a more sustainable future, championing responsible production without sacrificing performance or quality.
