Our Sustainability Goals
"We believe we can be a force for good, improving musical outcomes whilst reducing waste by reusing and recycling quality musical instruments"
The Challenge
Sustainability in the music industry is an increasingly vital concern as the world grapples with environmental and economic challenges. In recent years, the market has seen a sharp rise in the production of cheaper, mass-produced instruments that often lack durability and are difficult or impossible to repair. This disposable culture not only generates significant waste but also undermines the value of craftsmanship and the long-term relationship musicians develop with their tools. Instruments that were once built to last decades are now frequently replaced within a few years, contributing to resource depletion and disconnecting players from the rich traditions of musical artisanship.
The Opportunity
However, this shift presents a powerful opportunity for meaningful change. By prioritizing the use and reuse of quality, repairable instruments, the industry can support a more circular economy - one that values longevity, sustainability, and the preservation of skills. Reinvesting in craftsmanship and second-life instruments not only reduces environmental impact but also helps sustain jobs in repair, restoration, and local instrument-making. More importantly, access to well-made instruments can transform lives, enabling aspiring musicians from all backgrounds to explore their creativity and develop their talents without the barrier of prohibitive costs. In this way, sustainability in music isn’t just about protecting the planet, it’s about investing in people, culture, and a more resilient future for the art form itself.
Our Next Sustainability Event Starts Soon
Let's Go Circular @ Grand Arcade
Where:
Grand Arcade Shopping Centre
When:
Friday 27th October, 10-5
Our Current Sustainability Drive
We need your help.
We have started our drive to collect instruments for our Christmas giveaway. You can see progress below.
We are looking for instruments to be donated to underprivileged children in and around the city who are currently being excluded from music.
If you could share with friends and family and help us to make a difference
@MillersMusic
Do you have any of these instruments?
- Ukulele
- Recorder
- Violin
- Cello
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Guitars (Electric, Bass, Acoustic, or Classical)
- Keyboard/Portable piano
If they're not being used and you could spare them, you could help change lives by donating to our scheme.
Donation ApplicationPrevious Events and Activity
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Rental
Product-as-a-service
Our industry-leading rental schemes allow us to repair and reuse instruments that would otherwise go to waste. We maintain over 600 instruments on our rental fleet.
Maintaining Instruments
Increasing longevity
We maintain over 2,000 pianos across East Anglia via our piano technicians.We part-exchange and repair digital instruments for sale or rental.
Repairs
Supporting Customers with Repair
We work with skilled technicians and luthiers who can offer a variety of services to increase the longevity of instruments.
Our Achievements So Far
98.5kg
Saved from Landfill by Repairing Broken Instruments
80%
Reduction in Showroom Energy Use
120+
Happy Customers
8+
Countries
What does Pianos Equals aim to achieve?
"Our vision at Millers Music is to inspire and unleash musical creativity by making high quality instruments accessible and sustainable for all". Simon Pollard, Managing Director
We passionately believe in business being a force for good but through our work in local communities we uncovered huge problems in music education and provision. We created Piano Equals as a first-of-its-kind, unique piano reuse and recycling scheme to help tackle some of these and contribute to some of the biggest challenges we face: namely widening inequality and our transition to a low carbon economy, also known as Net Zero.
We believe sustainability is an opportunity for the Music Industry to lead the way to a more circular and equitable future. Instruments have been sustainable for centuries, especially pianos. If made to a high quality and with careful maintenance they can last for decades It is only recently that many products have become less repairable and less sustainable. This is something we're committed to changing.
You can find out more about how Piano Equals aims to achieve this below.
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