Pass the music on

Sir, Musical groups in Argyll are being called upon to keep instruments in good use by signing up for a musical instrument amnesty.

We are encouraging musical groups across the country to sign up as collection partners for this year’s Pass it on Week, to be held from March 10 to 18.

The national week of action aims to showcase reuse as a quality, attractive alternative to new, and offers Scots the chance to help others and the environment by keeping things in use.

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 secondhand.

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 has 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.

There are 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