A Decade of Sustainable Sound: D’Addario & TerraCycle Hit 16M Strings Recycled

Trenton, N.J., [December 4, 2025] — D’Addario, the world’s leading manufacturer of musical instrument accessories, and TerraCycle, the international recycling leader, are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the D’Addario Free Recycling Program — the first largescale initiative of its kind to recycle instrument strings of any brand. Over the past decade, the partnership has kept more than 16 million strings out of landfills and incinerators, engaging musicians, retailers, and schools nationwide to make sustainability part of their sound.

“At D’Addario, sustainability is woven into everything we do,” said John D’Addario III, CEO of D’Addario & Company, Inc. “Partnering with TerraCycle has allowed us to engage our entire community — from local music shops to global touring artists. This milestone celebrates both progress and possibility as we work toward a more sustainable future for music.”

Since its launch in 2015, the D’Addario Free Recycling Program has provided a simple, free way for musicians to recycle instrument strings, which are not typically accepted through municipal recycling services. Through the partnership, participants can sign up online, download a free shipping label, and mail in used strings and clippings from any brand or instrument type — from guitar and bass to orchestral strings. Once received, the collected strings are smelted and formed into metal ingots, which are then used by manufacturers to create new products.

“The D’Addario Free Recycling Program was one of our earliest initiatives to bring sustainability directly into the hands of consumers,” said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “A decade and 16 million strings later, this partnership continues to strike the right chord — showing how creative industries can help eliminate waste.”

Today, the D’Addario Free Recycling Program continues to make it easy for musicians, schools, and retailers to recycle used instrument strings of any brand. The program remains free to join and open to participants nationwide through TerraCycle’s online platform.

To learn more about the D’Addario Free Recycling Program, visit terracycle.com/daddario-playback. 

Additional information about TerraCycle’s innovative recycling solutions and mission to eliminate the idea of waste® can be found at terracycle.com. 

About D’Addario & Company, Inc.

D’Addario is the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instrument accessories, marketed under several product brands: D’Addario Fretted, D’Addario Orchestral, D’Addario Woodwinds, Promark Drumsticks, and EVANS Drumheads. A family-owned and operated business with roots dating back to the 17th century, D’Addario now has over 1,100 employees worldwide, and manufactures 95% of its products in the U.S. while utilizing Toyota's Lean manufacturing principles. D'Addario musical accessories are distributed in 120 countries, serve more than 3,300 U.S. retailers, all major e-commerce sites, and are the preferred choice of musicians worldwide.

The D’Addario Foundation believes in the power of music to unlock creativity, boost selfconfidence, and enhance academics. D’Addario also reinforces its role as a social and environmental leader with initiatives such as Playback and Play.Plant.Preserve. To learn more, visit www.daddario.com.

About TerraCycle

TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 18 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to eliminate the idea of waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and households, across a wide range of accessible programs and has raised millions for schools and nonprofits since its founding more than 20 years ago. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com.