Launched in November 2023, our ReTune recycling scheme has already helped Music Hubs around the UK responsibly clear out storage space, keeping thousands of musical instruments from heading to landfill. But once those instruments arrive back with us at Normans, the story really begins. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how every instrument is given a chance at a new chapter before recycling is even considered.
Inspect, Sort and Categorise
The journey starts with a careful inspection of each instrument’s type and condition. While many have reached the end of their original life, quite a few can be revived – either as a playable instrument or in a creative new form! After this initial check, each item is sorted for its next steps: Reuse or Recycle.
Instruments marked for reuse are play-tested, often with help from local musicians who want to see these instruments continue to make music. Others, still structurally sound but not viable for full repair, may head to repurposing, ready for unique transformations.
Repair, Repurpose or Recycle?
Donate
Some of the instruments that pass our playtest are donated to local schools, bands and music groups. Dronfield Band received several instruments to help launch a new training band. Adrian Wood, chairman of the Dronfield Band Organisation, said: “We’re really grateful to Normans for donating these instruments to us through their Retune scheme. As we expand the organisation to offer more music making opportunities to the local communities around us we need more instruments - and that comes at a huge cost. As a registered charity, which has to raise money for everything we do, getting a donation like this has been fantastic as it means we have a wider range of instruments for beginner players to use.”
Auction
Through our eBay site, we’ve found new homes for many instruments, in full working order or for “spares and repairs.” Schools and private individuals alike have jumped at the chance to give these items a second chance, meaning we’ve achieved our ultimate win of instruments being returned for use in Music Education.
Spares & Repairs
We work closely with the National Association for Musical Instrument Repairers (NAMIR), keeping their members updated about instruments that may just need a specialist’s touch. Rare items, like bassoons and tubas, are particularly in demand and we also supply spare parts to repairers to keep other instruments in playable condition.
Repurpose
When instruments are beyond repair but still look the part, repurposing is the final creative option. Many have been transformed into unique décor, brightening up pubs, social spaces and even gardens as quirky water features. One of our most exciting partnerships is with The Meon Lights in Hampshire, who specialise in converting these instruments into bespoke lamps. They have already turned the light on many a ReTune instrument, including a French Horn that sits proudly in our office!
Recycle
Of course, many instruments we collect are beyond recovery (there’s only so much you can do with a guitar that’s lost its neck!). This is where our collaboration with Willshee’s Waste & Recycling comes in. Just down the road from our warehouse, Willshee’s provides sustainable waste solutions with a Zero Landfill Guarantee. Our Education Advisor, Nick, visited them to see this process in action – read more about it here.
Earthly
ReTune is a not-for-profit scheme and any surplus from instrument resales supports nature-based projects through Earthly.org. This means every instrument recycled helps fund climate initiatives, with measurable positive impacts tracked on our Earthly dashboard.
Book Your ReTune
If ReTune could help you clear out space sustainably, sign up for a collection here , and we’ll take care of the rest.
