A HUGE mural made from over 30,000 bottle caps has been unveiled in Glasgow today - inspired by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli.
The 25ft tall artwork - appropriately named "Bottlecelli" - was commissioned by the supermarket Lidl to celebrate 253,000 containers of PET plastic and aluminium recycled through the brand’s return scheme pilot that launched in February.
The giant mural "turning trash into treasure" re-imagines early renaissance painter Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus and is designed to encourage more shoppers and passers-by to play their part in reducing plastic pollution.
READ MORE: McDonald's reveals plans for new restaurant in Scottish town
Lidl teamed up with renowned mural artist Smug and Yardworks, the graffiti programme at SWG3 in Glasgow's West End - Scotland’s leading multi-disciplinary arts venue - to complete the project.
Laura Frood, engagement and participation lead at SWG3 Glasgow, said: “It’s been a pleasure working alongside Lidl, Sam (Smug) and the wider team here at SWG3 to create 'Bottlecelli' over the past month.
"The mural looks fantastic and is testament to the talented team of artists and students who were able to make art from waste bottle tops.
“Beyond the mural, the partnership has also seen investment into our Yardworks Programme and street arts festival which will take place May 4-5.”
The artwork is embellished in parts with a mix of bottle caps due to be recycled, as well as bottle caps already recycled through the scheme.
Marco Ivone, Lidl’s regional director for Scotland, said: “Since launching last month, we’ve had an overwhelming response to our pilot return scheme and ‘Bottlecelli’ is an opportunity for us to give something back to the Glasgow community.
We know our customers share our passion for sustainability, and saving money, and we hope even more people take advantage of the schemes as we continue to invest in ways to ensure recycling is as convenient as possible.”
Lidl’s return scheme pilot launched in February and will run until August.
READ MORE: Public foot bill as Tory minister libels Scottish university academic
Shoppers receive a 5p reward for each eligible item that they return, which can either be redeemed against their weekly shop or donated to the supermarket’s charity partner The STV Children’s appeal.
The supermarket anticipates the trial scheme will result in a minimum 10.5 tonnes of plastic and aluminium material being recycled each month, with the material set to be retained and used to create new plastic and aluminium products.
You can find more about the scheme and how you can donate here.
To visit the Bottlecelli mural, head to 100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow, G3 8QG.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel