Earlier this month, a Lake Zurich High School alumnus launched a new business called StringCycled. The corporations owner, Andy Dreyer, class of 2003 and manager of Lake Zurich's Offbeat Music Store, repurposes used musical instrument strings to make art, jewelry, wine charms and other trinkets in an effort to keep these materials out of landfills. For every item sold, StringCycled makes a donation to the EcoTech Institute in Colorado which prepares students for careers in sustainable energy.

Inspired by an online video called "The Story Of Stuff", Dreyer wanted to find a way to make a positive impact on the environment. Instead of junking all of the strings he was removing from guitars being restrung at Offbeat, he started saving them. Now he has a collection of strings to repurpose with more coming his way everyday from musicians all around the country who send StringCycled their used strings instead of throwing them away.

You can visit www.StringCycled.com to view all the products available for sale or stop by Offbeat Music Store to see and purchase some of the art pieces in person (www.OffbeatMusicStore.com).