Mount Recyclemore Using E-Waste is Built Ahead of Summit

World leaders attending the G7 summit in Cornwall, U.K. will be greeted with a giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture of the G7 leaders’ heads made from e-waste.

The sculpture, named Mount Recyclemore, aims to highlight discarded electronics as leaders of many of the world’s most advanced economies prepare to discuss how to tackle climate change and build a greener future.

Depicting world leaders including President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the e-waste sculpture has been created by Decluttr, parent company, musicMagpie, and artist and founder of the Mutoid Waste Company, Joe Rush, alongside sculptor Alex Wreckage.

British artist, Joe Rush, is well-known for his art pieces that focus on environmental issues, creating thought provoking pieces that reveal the impact that humans are having on our planet. With the G7 summit ahead, Rush partnered with Decluttr to raise awareness of the dire need for a circular economy and a more sustainable way to buy, rent and sell consumer tech.

The arresting installation has been erected following research showing that the G7 nations alone produce almost 15.9 million metric tons of e-waste a year, with the US (6.9m), Japan (2.6m), Germany (1.6m) and UK (1.6m) being the worst offenders. 

The current 53 million metric tons of e-waste generated annually worldwide will more than double by 2050, making it the fastest growing waste stream in the world, according to the U.N.

View the slideshow to see images of the art installation.