– by Ify Otuya
E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world today. It is a huge threat to the environment and experts argue that developed nations top the list of the worst offenders for producing it. Coinciding with the G7 summit which took place in Cornwall in 2021, a number of artists and activists creating awareness about e-waste, decided to send an e-waste themed message to world leaders by using the powerful vehicle of art. They didn’t just create any art piece though; they created a compelling work of art grounded in the distant echoed yearnings of democracy.
What did they create, you ask? They created a giant structure made from electronic waste, which they constructed across the water from a hotel in Cornwall where the year’s G7 summit was hosted. The artwork depicted the faces of the world’s seven most powerful democratic leaders, all Western leaders, and intended to draw attention to waste that is generated by improperly disposing electronics and electricals. The prevailing idea is that the improper disposal of e-waste globally is such a growing threat it requires urgent attention at the top!
They called this structure Mount Recyclemore. Mount Recyclemore is a huge Mount Rushmore-style sculpture consisting of 12 tonnes of e-waste. It is located on Sandy Acres in Cornwall, right near where the G7 summit took place in Carbis Bay. Anyone with a good knowledge of world monuments could easily imagine that Mount Recyclemore in Cornwall, U.K. is the American Patriot’s dream come true across the shores. This is because Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest, U.S. – which inspired the construction of Mount Recyclemore – features four gigantic sculptures depicting the 60-foot (18m) heads of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. It is an ode to democracy and was indeed termed a “Shrine of Democracy” by its builders when it was completed in 1941.
The unmistakable objective of Mount Recyclemore’s builders, in 2021, was to bring the global issue of e-waste to light as leaders of the world’s most advanced economies and democracies prepared to discuss how best to tackle climate change and build a greener future.
According to a report published by the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020, 53.6 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21% in just five years. If trends continue as they have in recent years, this number can accordingly be expected to increase to 74 million tonnes by 2030. What’s worse, only approximately 20% of it is being recycled through proper channels. The rest largely goes unaccounted for, likely burned or dumped. It is a crisis and requires urgent attention. The expectation was that upon arrival for the G7 summit in Cornwall, world leaders would fly over the area and sight Mount Recyclemore below, just as they prepared to engage in talks about dealing with climate change and building a greener future.
Mount Recyclemore may not be the most aesthetic sight – it is scrap metals after all and it’s not like it’s a shiny new Apple computer or anything of the sort – but it shows that art remains a powerful vehicle for promoting awareness about e-waste problems and solutions.
Author’s Bio:
Ify Otuya is a passionate advocate for addressing e-waste challenges in Africa. As the Founder of June E-waste Academy, she has spearheaded the first e-waste academy in the African region, dedicated to promoting e-waste education, awareness, and sustainable solutions. Her commitment to this cause extends beyond the classroom, as she has also authored the book “E-waste Art,” a creative exploration of e-waste’s impact on our world. Ify’s mission is to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding e-waste issues and inspire positive change. For inquiries, collaborations, or to connect with her on this vital mission, feel free to reach out to her via email at missotuya@gmail.com.
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