Egypt is renowned for its pyramids; structures that have stood the test of time and whose architectural design proves so incredible, tourists can’t help but flock there to marvel, mouths agape at these monuments. But the latest landmark turning heads in the Egyptian desert is that of a plastic waste pyramid, an immense structure that took five days to build and weighs a staggering 20 tons.
This pyramid made of plastic is the work of Aussie startup and zero-waste company, Zero Co, who have been on a mission to “untrash the planet.” In conjunction with The Hidden Sea, a wine company removing plastic from the ocean every time a bottle is bought, the company erected the structure to mark the beginning of a movement called the 100YR CLEANUP, which looks to fund large-scale cleanups for the next 100 years and drive accountability for the single-use plastic problem that is proving an urgent threat to the planet’s future.
It might not be Egypt’s most grand pyramid, but it’s still taller than a three-storey building and is made using the equivalent of one million plastic water bottles collected from the Nile River. Speaking about the pyramid made of trash, Justin Moran, founder of The Hidden Sea, explains: “Despite its epic size, the pyramid shows just a fraction of what is an incredible crisis. Powered by wine drinkers, The Hidden Sea has removed 18 million plastic bottles from the ocean so far; this demonstrates that consumers simply need a clear way to be part of the solution.”
Taking place on November 7, COP27 will see the world’s climate leaders come together to discuss the future of the planet. But where calls for urgent action have continued to sound from countries around the world, the attempts by government bodies to enact change has been underwhelming. Now, Zero Co is hoping to garner the world’s attention, with founder Mike Smith camping out on the pyramid’s top for three days as he invites the public to support future cleanups. This can be done by sponsoring the removal of bundles of rubbish, from as little as $20, through to $50 or $100.
But while Zero Co presents opportunities for individuals to enact change, it’s also calling on industry peers and companies around the world to unite against the single-use plastic problem and contribute a small part of their business funds towards the initiative. Already, Zero Co have contributed $100,000 of its own earnings into the project, with global brands lining up to take part in the century-long movement, too.
“We want to put the plastic problem on the environmental agenda. We know we can’t do this alone, so we need to get everyone involved. By working together with businesses, industry leaders and inviting the public to take direct action, we’l be able to build a scalable solution to the problem and have a huge impact,” says Smith.
With the hope of raising $1 million for the 100YR CLEANUP over the next 12 months, Zero Co will be able to remove 15 million water bottles worth of rubbish from the planet, a target that has provided the foundation for such a powerful initiative.
“I want to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience untouched wilderness in all its powerful forces. While we inherit this planet from our ancestors, we also borrow it from our children,” Mike adds.
For more information or to find out how you can help, visit the official website here.