Betty the e-waste shark washed a-store at Thistles shopping centre
Thistles welcomes life-sized basking shark made from second hand electrical devices
Thistles shopping centre has unveiled a new art installation, Betty the e-waste shark, which has been making a splash with shoppers. Betty is a life-sized basking shark made entirely from second hand electrical devices including over 200 keyboards and water cooler panels that have been saved from landfill. Shoppers brave enough to stand at Betty’s mouth will see two projector lenses and TV screens showing a powerful film highlighting the enormous scale of e-waste that is shipped across seas every year.
The work of Edinburgh artist, Jonathan Elders, Betty was created to raise awareness of Scotland’s electronic waste problem. Designed to be engaging, it is also fully inclusive and accessible to people of any height or level of mobility. For a limited time only before Betty continues her journey across the country, visitors are invited to interact and snap a picture with the striking sculpture located outside Muffin Break to learn about the growing problem of e-waste facing our country.
Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles, said: “We’re excited to have welcomed Betty into the centre as not only is it a fantastic sculpture, but it is also a great way to educate our shoppers on the problem of electronic waste which faces us all.
“At Thistles we have been putting a great focus on sustainability, how to cut down on all waste and the steps we can take to protect our planet. Our Wolf Pack Kids’ Club is something that we’ve been able to introduce into the centre, with the help of the Sustainable Supers, to get the next generation clued up on all things sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint.”
The instalment furthers Thistles’ focus on raising awareness about sustainability and reducing waste as its monthly Wolf Pack Kids’ Club continues. Hosted on the last Sunday of the month from February to November, each month centres around a unique theme around planet saving, kindness and sharing.
Wolf pack members will be able to see Betty the shark up close after the next, free of charge event on September 25. Children can take part in an interactive workshop to design, create and take home their very own garden windchimes as we celebrate the seasons and head into Autumn.
Thistles encourages all shoppers to catch Betty the e-waste shark while you can as she will be at the shopping centre for a limited time only.
To find out more and sign up for The Wolf Pack, please visit www.thistlesstirling.com/the-wolf-pack/