Can I put a guitar in curbside recycling?

No. A whole guitar is a mixed-material item and should not go in curbside recycling. Donate, repair, part it out, or take electronics and metal pieces to appropriate specialty recyclers.

Are guitar strings recyclable?

Yes, through specialty programs. D'Addario Playback, powered by TerraCycle, accepts many kinds of instrument strings and clippings. Do not put loose strings in curbside recycling because they are small, sharp, and likely to tangle in sorting equipment.

What should I do with an electric guitar that no longer works?

Ask a repair shop whether the pickups, tuners, bridge, neck, or body can be reused. If it is not repairable, remove batteries and route pickups, preamps, pedals, cables, and other electronics to an e-waste recycler.

Can acoustic guitars be recycled the same way as electric guitars?

Acoustic guitars usually have less e-waste, but they still contain mixed wood, glue, finish, plastic, and metal. Donation, repair, or parts reuse is usually better than material recycling.

What should I do with batteries from active pickups or guitar accessories?

Remove batteries and recycle them separately. Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries should not go in household trash or curbside recycling; use a battery drop-off, household hazardous waste program, or electronics recycler.

Electronics recycling

How to Recycle Guitars

Electric, acoustic, and bass guitars are best repaired, donated, or reused first. When a guitar is beyond repair, strings, metal hardware, batteries, and electronic components can often be recycled through specialty programs.

Recyclable$0-$500+ depending on brand, condition, and parts; repairable guitars are usually worth more as instruments than as scrapUpdated Jun 2026

Quick answer

Don't put a whole guitar in recycling. Repair or donate it first, since playable instruments have real value and demand. If it's truly beyond saving, recycle the parts separately: metal hardware and strings as scrap metal, and any active electronics, pickups, or cables as e-waste.

Recyclable: Yes
Typical value: $0-$500+ depending on brand, condition, and parts; repairable guitars are usually worth more as instruments than as scrap
Donate / take-back: Available

How to Prepare

1Check whether the guitar is playable or repairable before taking it apart
2

How to Recycle Guitars

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How to Recycle Guitars

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