MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Musical instruments come in such a variety of shapes, sizes and materials that they are difficult to recycle. However, some instruments may have metal parts, for instance, which are recyclable.

Alternatively, if they are still in good condition, consider the following options:

Pass them on...

Charities

• Some charity shops will accept donations of instruments and sheet music.

Online

• Advertise items for free at places such as Freecycle and Freegle;
• Or sell them on websites like eBay and Gumtree.

Friends, family and local events

• Ask family and friends - often they can use the things we don’t want anymore;
• Sell items locally at car boots, nearly new and bring and buy sales;
• Advertise them in the local paper or on local noticeboards.

Donate to a local school

• If you have a working instrument you no longer want, why not contact your local school and see if they'd like a new addition to their music cupboard.

Recycle them...

As musical instruments are often made from a combination of different  materials they are often difficult to recycle. Some instruments may have metal parts, for instance, which are recyclable but they are attached to a wooden or plastic body making them harder to recycle. You cannot recycle musical instruments in your household recycling bin, but you may be able to recycle some parts at the local waste and recycling centre. If they are too complicated to disassemble, you should put them in the rubbish bin.