PVC Drumming At Its Finest

In this edition of the Vocal Trash Street Show, Steve and Kelsey demonstrate how old PVC pipes can be used to make a unique and rather awesome sounding musical instrument!

What Is Upcycling?

Upcycling is the transformation of items that would typically be thrown away in a landfill into something practical and truly useful. This alternative to traditional recycling is just as helpful to the planet because it prevents tons of trash from ending up in landfills. Upcycled products also inspire people to use their imagination.

Why PVC Pipes?

If you can find PVC pipes to reuse, you’ll find they are great to use for musical instruments because they have the same rhythmic and tonal qualities of percussion instruments like drums, pianos and guitars!  

Where Can I Find Old PVC Pipes?

According to Steve, you can find old PVC pipes to reuse in a landfill, just lying around the house where plumbing was projects are happening or wherever new homes are going up.

What Else Can I Upcycle or Reuse?

Other great musical instruments can be made out of recycled milk jugs, kegs, golf cart rims, trash cans, recycle bins, empty gas tanks or just about any piece of scrap metal. 

How Can I Make My Own Upcycled Instruments?

Check out this neat WikiHow article on how you can create your own PVC pipe drum or visit our friends at KnotAFish, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about making upcycled instruments.

Recycle reduce reuse &
"THINK…before you throw it away!"

Vocal Trash is a troupe of environmental entertainers who have been engaging audiences with their unique and exciting brand of entertainment for a decade from New York to Seattle. Whether in Madison Square Garden or the Venetian Hotel and Casino, Vocal Trash is environmentally conscious using upcycled materials on stage. The group asks that you "THINK… before you throw it away!"