Musical Instrument Recycling
There are many shapes, sizes, and types of musical instruments. Repairing, donating, and reusing them should always be the focus but most can be recycled when you no longer get a tune out of them. This includes any old brass, woodwind, percussion, strings, and other kinds of instruments.
Schools, shops, and other organisations may find themselves with old musical instruments they need to get rid of responsibly. Donating musical instruments that still work and are in good condition is the most sustainable option. If you can’t get a tune out of it then recycling is the next best solution.
Learn all about how recycling musical instruments works whether you’ve got a damaged piano or a group of old guitars. Speak to one of our friendly team for a free quote for collections, recycling, and to discuss your requirements – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online today.
Can you recycle musical instruments?
You can recycle many musical instruments, but it can be tricky because they come in different shapes and sizes, and are made from all sorts of materials. For example, recycling an old trumpet comprised of one type of metal is simpler than recycling a piano that may contain a few different materials.
Most electronic musical instruments (such as a keyboard or electric guitar) are a type of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). They should therefore be recycled alongside other WEEE items. Brass instruments can be recycled alongside other metal recycling, as long as there are no other materials present.
How to recycle musical instruments
from businesses
Businesses and organisations such as shops and schools can end up with damaged, broken, and old musical instruments beyond economic repair. These are a type of commercial waste, so you must arrange commercial waste collection to get rid of them safely, legally, and responsibly.
Partner with a waste management company that works to recycle musical instruments, such as Business Waste. Licensed waste carriers will remove the instruments and take them to specialist recycling facilities for processing. This prevents the items from going to landfill and provides a sustainable solution.
Any musical instruments in working condition or that could be repaired can be donated from businesses to other organisations. Some schools, community groups, orchestras, and other musical organisations may happily accept old instruments in various conditions to use or repair.
How are musical instruments recycled?
Musical instruments are recycled in various ways depending on their materials. Many can be recycled alongside other waste from the same stream or broken down and sent for recycling with the same types of material. Some of the ways musical instruments might be recycled based on their materials include:
- Wood recycling – wooden piano parts can be broken down and reformed to create MDF for furniture, cabinets, and other applications. It can also be chipped and used to make paths or garden mulch.
- Metal recycling – the metal from trumpets and trombones can be shredded, melted, and reformed to produce recycled metal materials (which may even be used to make new brass instruments).
- Plastic recycling – the plastic from ocarinas, shakers, and recorders can be shredded, melted, and used to form pellets. These are then sent to manufacturers to use to create new plastic products.
- Electrical recycling – old keyboards and electric guitars are broken down and separated into individual materials. These materials are recycled in their separate streams and electronic components are reused.
Who needs to recycle
musical instruments?
Any business or organisation with old musical instruments that can’t be donated, repaired, or refurbished should be sent for recycling. This is a sustainable solution that protects the environment and avoids them ending up in landfill. Some of the main places that may have musical instruments to recycle include:
- Schools – broken and damaged instruments from music classes.
- Shops – any irreparable or damaged musical instruments and stock.
- Venues – smashed-up instruments from rehearsal rooms and music venues.
- TV and film productions – any broken props or instruments from production studios.
- Charities – donated musical instruments that are broken or beyond repair.
Arrange musical instrument recycling
Get a free quote for the collection of any type, number, and size of old musical instruments from your business, school, charity, or any other organisation. We cover all of the UK so can collect from anywhere. Licensed waste carriers will remove your tuneful waste, so it’s managed safely, legally, and responsibly.
Speak to one of our friendly and expert team to discuss your needs. They can advise on the best solution and answer any of your questions. We keep all waste away from landfill for a sustainable solution. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for your free bespoke quote and to discuss your situation.
Old musical instruments FAQs
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Where can I donate musical instruments in the UK?
You can donate musical instruments from home at various places in the UK:
- Charity shops – many charity shops accept instruments in working condition, which they sell to raise funds to support their cause.
- Charities – various music charities take old instruments and donate to those in need in the UK and abroad.
- Music groups – local community music groups may take old instruments and repair or reuse them.
- Schools – many schools will be grateful for working instruments to use in their classes and productions.
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What can you do with damaged instruments?
The best thing to do with damaged instruments is to repair them. If you can’t repair them yourself then ask at a local music shop whether they can repair it or not. This saves on the resources, energy, and costs of making new instruments.
For any musical instruments damaged beyond repair, they should be recycled. Disassemble them into separate materials (such as metal, wood, and plastic) and recycle them properly. You can old instruments from your home to some household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) for recycling.
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How can we reduce musical instrument waste?
A few ways to reduce musical instrument waste are to:
- Buy second-hand or refurbished musical instruments
- Purchase coated strings that last longer
- Take care with instruments to avoid damage
- Refurbish and reuse old instruments
- Donate instruments to charities
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