PLAYING OUR PART | Here at Martin Guitar, our passion for crafting the finest acoustic guitars and strings goes hand in hand with a deep-seated commitment to the planet and its people. By championing the sustainable use of tonewoods and advocating for the utilization of alternative materials, we're preserving forests for generations to come. Through diligent recycling efforts, minimizing waste, and mitigating our ecological footprint, we're not only crafting exceptional instruments but also safeguarding the planet. As we navigate the challenges of the present and look towards the future, Martin invites you to join us on our journey towards a greener, more sustainable world.
2024 Impact Report
Read the Full 2024 Impact Report
Reforestation Support
Martin recently provided support to a Republic of Congo hospital that serves the indigenous population, where we source FSC®-certified ebony, sipo, and sapele wood. We also provided support for Central American reforestation of cocobolo and rosewood through Hearne Hardwoods and Diamond Tropical Hardwoods. And we provided support for the reforestation of Dalbergia in Costa Rica through Diamond Teak Hardwoods. Closer to home, Martin employees helped the Wildlands Conservancy plant 325 trees along the Saucon Creek, which will stabilize the banks of the creek, protect water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and limit flood impacts on the site and downstream.
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
In 2024, we received LEED Certification for our Commerce Lane distribution and storage facility. We changed from using nylon 3D-printed composite parts on our SC models to injection-molded, 100% renewable, and biodegradable parts. We changed the exterior material on all gig bags and softshell cases in both Nazareth and Mexico to materials made from recycled plastics. We started using artificially propagated mahogany for some Nazareth instruments, and we started using wood falloff to create blocks and necks for instruments. We implemented reusable shopping bags in our 1833 Shop retail store and we replaced printed product materials with a QR code link that is laser etched onto repurposed wood falloff.
DSS Biosphere® II
Dedicated to preserving our planet for future generations, Martin reinforced that call to action on Earth Day with the DSS Biosphere II. It's a tribute to the Keiki Kohola Project, a nonprofit that promotes the protection of humpback whale mother and calf pairs during their time in Hawaiian waters. Martin made a generous donation to its cause. The guitar is also FSC® certified, 100% plastic-free, and is adorned with the Preferred by Nature Hummingbird Seal.
GPCE Inception™ Maple
In 2024, we launched our first Inception model, whose primary materials are sustainably sourced in North America. Combining nature and technology, this unique handcrafted acoustic-electric features skeletonized scalloped bracing and sonic channels inside the body for increased resonance and superior tone. The GPCE Inception Maple is made from a combination of sustainable and domestically abundant tonewoods, including an FSC-certified European spruce top, maple sides, and an eye-catching three-piece back of maple and black walnut, providing a clear, projective, and balanced tone.
C.F. Martin & Co. officially achieved Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework certification for the Martin Biosphere family of guitars, making the company the first to achieve this certification in the U.S., and only the second worldwide.
We use Richlite on our instruments as an alternative material for fingerboards and bridges because Richlite is an incredibly durable, sustainable, and versatile material made from paper.
Leading the green music movement since 2004, REVERB is a 501c3 nonprofit that partners with artists, festivals, and venues to reduce their environmental footprint while empowering music-makers and millions of music-lovers to take action on today’s most pressing environmental issues.
We were the first guitar manufacturer to implement an environmental policy in 1990, achieving Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Chain-of-Custody certification (License Code FSC-C008304). Ever since, we have collaborated with numerous environmental organizations because we strive to be good stewards of the planet and because, at Martin, every day is Earth Day.
12 million
strings recycled
Over 12 million strings were recycled through the Playback program. The collaboration is a precise pairing, aligning with Martin’s commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility.
We partnered with the Better Battery Company, which developed the first ever certified carbon-neutral batteries with a seamless recycling program that not only makes the process of receiving and disposing of batteries easy for you but also makes a big difference for the planet we share.