How Berkshire Music Trust is Making Music More Sustainable
At Berkshire Music Trust, we inspire and educate future generations through music. But with that influence comes a responsibility: we need to think about our impact on the planet. By making eco-friendly choices in the way we work, we can show young musicians, staff and our community that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Recycling Instruments: Giving them a Second Life
Every instrument has a life cycle, but we do everything we can to extend it.
We repair instruments to keep them in use for as long as possible.
We reuse parts from broken ones to fix others.
We recycle responsibly through our partnership with Warwick Music.
Over the summer holidays, our Resources Team sorted through thousands of old instruments from schools and projects, ready for collection and recycling by Warwick Music.
What happens when instruments are recycled?
- Brass can be turned into piping or even new brass instruments.
- String instruments can be broken down, with wood reused in materials like MDF.
- Plastic is fully recyclable and can be made into new products.
- Other materials can even be transformed into fuel or energy.
Benefits of using plastic instruments
We sometimes get asked about our use of plastic instruments. Thanks to Warwick Music, we know they’re an eco-friendly option:
- Made from recyclable ABS plastic.
- Carbon neutral, saving 2.8 million kgs of CO2 since 2010 (that’s like saving over 72,000 trees!)
- Leftover parts from production are melted down and reused.
- They’re tough, long-lasting and easy to repair with spare parts.
- At the end of their life, they can be fully recycled.
The Uganda Donation
If an instrument is still in good working order but no longer needed here, we always try to find it a new home. We recently donated a large number of brass instruments to Red Earth Village Schools in Uganda. They’re now being used by the MATIC Brass Band in Namunyumya, which supports 115 children, many from poor farming families or orphaned.
In January 2024, the band had only 20 instruments for 50 players, many held together with tape. Our donation has expanded opportunities for learning, performing and experiencing the life-changing benefits of music. We have loved seeing the photos and videos of the band making music with them.
Our Wider Commitment to Sustainability
Beyond recycling instruments, we are taking a number of steps to reduce our carbon footprint and make greener choices, such as:
- Planning smarter journeys – carefully mapping delivery and collection routes across Berkshire in our van to cut emissions.
- Second-hand music – selling second-hand music online (including via Vinted) and at our music centres.
- Switching to renewable energy – installing solar panels at our offices.
- Encouraging greener travel – installing EV chargers at Reading Music Centre to support the transition to electric vehicles.
We are also proud to be part of the Arts Sustainability Forum – bimonthly network originally set up by Jelly and Reading Rep. Together, we share ideas, challenges and solutions for making arts organisations more sustainable.
In addition, we work closely with Positive Planet, who support us in improving our environmental impact. We also have a dedicated Sustainability Champion who continues to drive this work forward. She has completed Carbon Literacy Training, certified by the Carbon Literacy Project, ensuring we stay informed and accountable in our environmental efforts.
Looking Ahead
We know there’s always more to do. By recycling, repairing and rethinking how we work, we’re making sure music and sustainability go hand in hand. At Berkshire Music Trust, we’re committed to a greener future – so the joy of music can be passed onto many generations to come.
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