'Mount Recyclemore': Giant sculpture of G7 leaders made from e-waste on Cornish beach
It's to highlight the growing environmental threat of discarded electrical items
Last updated 13th Jul 2021
Lurking in the sand dunes near Hayle are the world leaders of the G7, and they've been transformed into Cornwall's very own Mount Rushmore.
Dubbed Mount Recyclemore, the six-metre high sculpture is made entirely from discarded electronic items, like phones, circuit boards, discs and consoles.
They have been created by musicMagpie in partnership with artist and founder of the Mutoid Waste Company, Joe Rush, to highlight the growing environmental threat of e-waste on the planet as leaders of the world’s most advanced economies prepare to discuss how to tackle climate change and build a greener future.
The sculpture took around six weeks to build and is made up of over 20,000 electrical items.
And it weighs an incredible 12 tonnes!
Joe Rush has previously collaborated with the likes of Banksy, Vivienne Westwood and Damien Hirst to create art about environmental issues and is now working with musicMagpie to raise awareness of a more sustainable way to buy, rent and sell consumer tech by encouraging a circular economy.
The arresting installation has been erected following research showing that the G7 nations alone produce almost 15.9 million tonnes of e-waste a year, with the US (6.9m), Japan (2.6m), Germany (1.6m) and UK (1.6m) being the worst offenders.
According to the UN, the current 53 million tonnes of e-waste generated annually worldwide will more than double by 2050, making it the fastest growing waste stream in the world.
Despite this growing environmental issue, the new research has found that an alarming four in five (79%) Brits do not know what e-waste is. When given the definition of e-waste, nearly a third (31%) didn’t believe it damaged the environment or were unsure, while 45% weren’t aware it impacted climate change.
Over half of Brits (54%) also admit to being surprised by the amount of e-waste the UK produces per year, with it being more than they expected.
Unless urgent action is taken the issue of e-waste could worsen, as research revealed that Brits are already sitting on £16.5 Billion worth of technology they no longer use, holding on average 11 unused devices each*.
And almost half of Brits (47%) currently do not recycle, resell, or donate their old tech to charity, with most opting to hold onto it instead where it ends up at the back of drawers collecting dust. Staggeringly, almost five million adults** even openly admit to throwing old tech in the bin at home.
"It's an incredible piece of art, there are 20,000 different pieces of electrical waste in it, and is about 12 tonnes, it blows your mind just how creative it is.
"There are a lot of phones, they feature heavily, we can see a few electrical heaters down there, there are hedgetrimmers, hoovers, lawnmowers.
"Boris' lips are made from the lids of airpods, along with Angela Merkel's eyelids.
"The artists were fighting over different bits and pieces of the electrical waste.
"The great thing is every time you look at it you see something different."
Simon Oliver, musicMagpie
You can find out more and donate to WasteAid here.