What Happens to Disposed Pianos: The Journey After Goodbye

Introduction

When you wave goodbye to your old piano as it’s loaded onto a truck, have you ever wondered what happens next? Where does it go? Does it simply end up in landfill, or do the materials find new life elsewhere?

In our 33 years of moving pianos across Gloucestershire and throughout the UK, we’ve handled the full journey—from collection to final destination. We’ve watched iron frames become new steel, seen wood transformed into energy, and observed piano parts salvaged for restoration projects. The journey of a disposed piano is more interesting than most people imagine.

This guide follows that journey—from the moment a piano leaves your home to the various destinations its components reach. Understanding this process helps you appreciate why professional disposal matters, and why choosing responsible operators makes an environmental difference.

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The Collection Process

The Day of Collection

What happens when we arrive:

Initial assessment:

• Team evaluates the piano and access
• Route confirmed from piano to vehicle
• Any obstacles identified
• Protective measures put in place

Professional wrapping:

• Piano wrapped for protection during handling
• Protects property more than piano (since it’s being disposed)
• Prevents debris during transport

Careful removal:

• Specialist equipment used
• Piano moved through property
• Loaded onto vehicle
• Secured for transport

The Transport Journey

From your home:

The piano travels to a processing facility, which might be:

• The disposal company’s own yard
• A specialist recycling facility
• A partnership dismantling site

During transport:

• Piano secured to prevent movement
• Journey typically local or regional
• Most pianos processed within 50 miles of collection

Arrival at Processing Site

At the facility:

Pianos arrive and are:

• Unloaded into processing area
• Logged and documented
• Queued for dismantling
• Sometimes stored briefly before processing

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Assessment and Sorting

Initial Inspection

Before dismantling:

Even disposed pianos receive assessment:

Checking for:

• Any components worth salvaging
• Condition of specific parts
• Presence of special materials (ivory, valuable veneers)
• Hazardous materials (old lead paint, certain finishes)

Categorisation

Pianos are sorted by:

Type:

• Uprights processed differently from grands
• Larger instruments need more handling

Condition:

• Better condition = more salvageable parts
• Poor condition = straight to dismantling

Age and origin:

• Very old pianos may have ivory (special handling required)
• Certain brands have parts worth more

Salvage Decisions

What might be saved:

Before full dismantling, potentially useful parts are identified:

• Hammers in good condition
• Key tops (especially ivory)
• Action components
• Hardware and fittings
• Attractive case veneers

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The Dismantling Process

Step-by-Step Breakdown

How pianos are taken apart:

Step 1: Exterior removal

• Music desk removed
• Lid and fallboard removed
• Top panel removed (uprights)

Step 2: Action extraction

• Keys removed as a unit
• Action mechanism extracted
• These may be kept for parts or dismantled further

Step 3: String tension release

• Critical safety step
• Strings cut or unwound carefully
• Tension released gradually

Step 4: String removal

• Strings extracted from pins and hitch pins
• Coiled for metal recycling
• Separated by type (steel, copper-wound)

Step 5: Frame separation

• Cast iron frame unbolted from case
• Heavy lift—usually requires equipment
• Cleanest component for recycling

Step 6: Case dismantling

• Wooden case broken down
• Veneers separated if valuable
• Wood sorted by type where practical

Safety Considerations

Why professional dismantling matters:

String tension danger: Piano strings are under enormous tension—up to 20 tonnes across all strings. Improper release can cause serious injury.

Heavy components: Cast iron frames weigh 70-150 kg. Dropping one can cause injury and property damage.

Sharp materials: Broken strings, nails, and splintered wood create hazards.

Chemical exposure: Old finishes may contain lead; some felts contain moth treatment chemicals.

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Where the Metal Goes

The Cast Iron Frame

The most recyclable component:

The massive cast iron frame (also called the plate or harp) is the most valuable recycling element:

Collection:

• Frames stacked or stored
• Collected by scrap metal merchants
• Typically sold by weight

Processing:

• Transported to foundry or steel mill
• Melted down with other cast iron
• Recast into new iron products

New life: Iron from piano frames may become:

• Construction materials
• Engine components
• New cast iron products
• Steel alloy ingredients

Steel Strings

Continuous recycling:

Steel strings from treble sections:

• Coiled together
• Sent to steel recyclers
• Melted and reprocessed
• Become new steel products

Bass strings (copper-wound):

• Higher value due to copper content
• Copper may be separated
• Both metals recycled separately

Other Metals

Small but significant:

Other metal components:

• Tuning pins (steel)
• Pedal mechanisms (brass, steel)
• Hinges and hardware
• Internal fittings

These are sorted and sent to appropriate metal recyclers.

Metal Recycling Value

What the metal is worth:

Component	Approximate Value
Cast iron frame	£15-40
Steel strings	£2-5
Copper from bass strings	£5-10
Other metals	£2-5
Total	£25-60

This doesn’t cover removal costs, but it contributes to recycling economics.

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Wood Processing

Types of Wood Recovered

Various wood types serve different fates:

Solid hardwoods (oak, walnut, mahogany):

• From cases and structural elements
• Higher quality wood may be salvaged
• Lower quality goes to recycling

Spruce soundboard:

• Thin, carefully manufactured spruce
• Rarely salvageable (usually damaged)
• Recycled as wood waste

Composite/laminated wood:

• Pin blocks and some structural elements
• Processed as mixed wood waste

Wood Recycling Routes

Where wood goes:

Biomass energy: Most piano wood ends up as fuel for biomass power generation:

• Chipped into uniform pieces
• Burned to generate electricity
• Considered renewable energy source
• Better than fossil fuel alternatives

Particleboard production: Some wood is processed into:

• Chipboard
• MDF (medium-density fibreboard)
• Other composite wood products

Compost/mulch: Untreated wood may become:

• Garden mulch
• Composting material

Challenges with Piano Wood

Complications:

• Finishes contain chemicals
• Multiple wood types mixed
• Adhesives complicate processing
• Variable quality
• Can’t always be separated effectively

Result: Most goes to biomass rather than higher-value uses.

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Other Components

Felt and Textiles

Limited recycling options:

Wool felt from hammers and dampers:

• Small quantities per piano
• Some textile recyclers accept
• Often goes to general waste
• Biodegradable but slow to decompose

Keys

Depending on material:

Plastic keytops (modern):

• Limited recycling value
• Often general waste

Ivory keytops (older pianos):

• Regulated material (CITES)
• Cannot be commercially traded
• May be stored for restoration use
• Must be properly documented

Ebony sharps:

• Valuable wood
• Often salvaged for restoration

Other Components

Various materials:

• Leather (from action parts): Limited recycling
• Plastic components: General waste typically
• Adhesives and finishes: Disposed appropriately

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Salvaged Parts for Restoration

The Parts Market

Not everything is waste:

Piano technicians and restorers need parts for repairs:

Components commonly salvaged:

Part	Restoration Use
Hammers	Replacing worn hammers
Action parts	Repairing damaged actions
Keys	Matching sets
Pedal mechanisms	Replacement parts
Hardware	Authentic restoration
Ivory keytops	Period-correct restoration

Who Uses Salvaged Parts?

The salvage network:

• Piano technicians (for client repairs)
• Restoration specialists
• DIY restorers
• Educational institutions
• Parts dealers

Salvage Economics

Does salvage offset costs?

Rarely significantly. Salvageable parts from most disposed pianos have limited value. Only premium brands or unusually well-preserved parts command meaningful prices.

But it matters for:

• Keeping restoration possible
• Supplying hard-to-find parts
• Reducing waste where practical

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Pianos with Second Lives

Not All Disposed Pianos Are Destroyed

Alternative endings:

Some pianos collected for “disposal” actually find new purposes:

Reconditioning: Occasionally, a piano collected for disposal turns out to be worth reconditioning and reselling.

Export: Some instruments are exported to markets where standards differ or restoration labour is cheaper.

Parts harvest: Premium pianos may be entirely disassembled for parts rather than recycled as materials.

Upcycling and Art

Creative reuse:

Some disposed pianos go to:

• Artists creating sculptures or installations
• Craftspeople making furniture
• Film and theatre prop departments
• Educational demonstrations

Donation Redirect

Changed circumstances:

Occasionally, pianos collected are redirected to:

• Schools or churches that express need
• Community organisations
• Individuals in need

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The Environmental Picture

Landfill vs. Proper Disposal

Why it matters:

Landfill problems:

• Takes limited landfill space
• Wood decomposes to methane (potent greenhouse gas)
• Metal resources permanently lost
• Chemicals may leach into soil

Proper disposal benefits:

• 85-90% material recovery
• Metal returns to manufacturing cycle
• Wood energy displaces fossil fuels
• Minimal landfill contribution

Carbon Considerations

The bigger picture:

Process	Environmental Impact
Manufacturing new iron	High carbon cost
Recycling piano iron	70% less energy
Wood to landfill	Methane emission
Wood to biomass	Carbon-neutral energy

Responsible Disposal Matters

Your choice makes a difference:

Choosing disposal services that recycle properly:

• Ensures materials are recovered
• Supports recycling infrastructure
• Reduces landfill pressure
• Models responsible stewardship

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Choosing Responsible Disposal

What to Look For

Signs of responsible disposal:

• Clear explanation of what happens to pianos
• Relationships with recycling facilities
• Willing to discuss their process
• Proper business credentials
• Track record of service

Questions to Ask

Before booking:

1. “What happens to the piano after you collect it?”
2. “Do you recycle the materials?”
3. “What percentage is recycled vs. landfilled?”
4. “Can you provide documentation if needed?”

Red Flags

Signs of irresponsible disposal:

• Vague about what happens
• Much cheaper than others (fly-tipping?)
• No business premises
• Cash only, no documentation
• Unable to explain process

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Expert Tips from A1 Piano Removals

From Our Experience

1. Ask questions: Reputable disposal services happily explain their process. Vague answers suggest problems.
2. Documentation available: If you need proof of responsible disposal (for estate or business purposes), ask for it.
3. Price indicates approach: Very cheap disposal often means corners are cut—possibly including proper recycling.
4. Local knowledge matters: We know where materials go because we’ve been doing this for over 33 years and have established relationships.
5. Your choice matters: By choosing responsible disposal, you support proper recycling infrastructure.

Our Process

What happens to pianos we collect:

• Transported to processing facility
• Dismantled by trained personnel
• Metal recovered for scrap recycling
• Wood directed to appropriate facilities
• Salvageable parts offered to technicians
• Minimal waste to landfill

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About the Author

Liam

Piano Moving Specialist

Liam is part of the A1 Piano Removals team, bringing professional expertise to every piano move.