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Play it Forward and Recycle Instruments

Natalie Cook

By Natalie Cook
New York, NY, USA | Wed Jul 30 20:50:00 EDT 2008

recycled instrument photo


David Harriman/Getty Images

READ MORE ABOUT:
Green Gifts | Green Home | Kids | Music | Recycling | Schools


On Battleground Earth, Tommy Lee and Ludacris throw-down to see which one of them is the music business’s king of conservation. After witnessing their zeal so far, one wonders what lengths they’ll go to in an effort to take the eco-crown. Would they be willing to pass on their most prized musical possessions for the sake of the planet? Even if you can’t envision Tommy Lee giving up his first guitar, read how you can invest in someone else’s pop star fantasy or recreational outlet by recycling your old instruments.

Many years ago, my music teacher mom forced me into taking a band class. Though I had no interest in the endeavor, I spent three years with that clarinet glued to my lips. When my band tour of duty was over, my dad found a new home for Tootie. A more dedicated and eager musician achieved band stardom with the gently used woodwind and Tootie was saved from life in the attic or worse, the landfill. The gift was not only an eco-save, but also an investment in a young person’s creative future.

If you also retired from the marching band or purchased an instrument with the hope of inking a multi-million dollar contract and Sony has yet to give you a call, don’t sack that sax! You can invest in some other budding musician’s future or keep a kid’s band camp hopes alive by donating your melody maker.

Here’s how:
  • Contact local middle and high schools to see if they accept instrument donations.
  • If you have Freecycle in your community, post and wait for the magic to happen.
  • If you desire more than just a warm fuzzy feeling in exchange for your prized guitar, check out Craigslist, E-Bay, or the numerous other buy, sell and trade sites. There you can get cold, hard cash or reload your Paypal account.
  • For those of you in the Cincinnati, Ohio area Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids is a great organization that matches donated instruments and the young people who need them.

This post was inspired by Battleground Earth.
 
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