Musical Scots are being called upon to keep instruments in good use by signing up for a ‘Musical Instrument Amnesty’.
Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging musical groups across the country to sign up as collection partners for this year’s Pass it on Week (10 to 18 March, 2018).
The national week of action aims to showcase re-use as a quality, attractive alternative to new – and offers Scots the chance to help others and the environment by keeping things in use.
Local music organisations and charities are being asked to come forward as local beneficiaries of the Amnesty and act as collection points for people to drop off instruments. Whether re-homing a neglected guitar or a violin that has seen relentless practice, Pass it on Week 2018 is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to be part of joined-up, nationwide action to ‘pass on’ the gift of music and show their support for second-hand.
From Hawick to Orkney, organisations signed up to the Musical Instrument Amnesty will help ensure high-quality instruments of all shapes and sizes – from tin whistles to drums – are re-homed and given a new lease of life, says ZWS. The group says there’s already more than 30 partners on board, and anyone wishing to get involved can sign up at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/passonthemusic.
Andrew Pankhurst, Zero Waste Scotland’s Re-use Campaigns Manager and himself a keen musician, said:
“The Musical Instrument Amnesty is a great way for people to get involved in Pass it on Week by passing on the gift of music. Pass it on Week is all about looking at what we no longer use and passing it on to have a new life with someone else, and one of the great ways you can do that is by giving someone the opportunity to learn an instrument.
“We’re calling for organisations to come forward and be listed as collection partners, so that local people can simply drop in instruments somewhere nearby for people in the community to benefit from.”
To get the music started Zero Waste Scotland teamed up with the UK’s first ‘musical instrument library’, Music Broth, and music charity The Glad Foundation. Music Broth will act as an ‘overspill’ service for any partners that end up with Musical Instrument Amnesty items they can’t rehome, and can help connect Amnesty partner organisations to a musical group in their local area.
Felix Slaven, Founder of Music Broth, said:
“At Music Broth we are passionate about supporting the music community by providing access to a wide variety of musical instruments and equipment. We’re really pleased to be able to support any individual, group or organisation that wants to support this initiative but doesn’t know where to send the instruments they collect. So if you want to get involved, we will accept your musical items and make sure they go on to have a long life as part of our library.”
In addition to the Musical Instrument Amnesty, Pass it on Week will see people across Scotland swapping, donating, sharing and repairing to help make things last. Share your Pass it on Week story on social media using the #PassItOnWeek hashtag.
