CANvas

  • Phoebe Kelly

How 700 Recycled Cans Became a Giant Earth Day Mural in Bristol

How 700 Recycled Cans Became a Giant Earth Day Mural in Bristol 2560 1626 Phoebe Kelly

To celebrate Earth Day, we wanted to bring recycling to life… right in the heart of Bristol City Centre.

On 22nd April, passers-by on Centre Promenade stopped in their tracks as a striking piece of live art took shape. Our #EveryCanCounts CANvas, created using more than 700 recycled drink cans, is designed to inspire conversations about recycling and our role in protecting the planet.

Turning Used Cans into Earth Day-Inspired Art

The CANvas was painted live by local Bristol mural artist Ollie Gillard of Gage Graphics, well known for his nature-themed street art across the city. Ollie’s bespoke Earth Day design featured exotic animals and a powerful Earth visual, a creative reminder of why caring for the environment matters.

Watching the artwork come together throughout the day gave locals a chance to see recycled materials transformed into something meaningful, sparking plenty of conversations along the way.

Why Drink Cans Matter

The installation aimed to raise awareness of the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Aluminium can be recycled again and again without losing quality. In fact, a recycled drink can could be back on shop shelves in as little as 60 days. Recycling even just one can really does make a difference, especially when we all do it.

Recycling On-the-Go in Bristol

Our team of ambassadors were also out and about on the day, wearing recycling backpacks and collecting used drinks cans from people on-the-go. They spent the day engaging with the public to spread the message about the benefits of recycling their empty drink cans.

By making recycling visible, accessible and engaging, we’re encouraging more people to recycle their cans – wherever they are!

A Creative Way to Mark Earth Day

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said:

 “Earth Day is an important time for us to discuss how vital it is to care for the environment, including through the recycling of aluminium cans.

“This year, we took to the streets of Bristol, joining forces with local artist, Ollie Gillard, to produce a giant CANvas finished with Ollie’s bespoke Earth Day design. It was great to see the CANvas come to life and to watch locals engage with the artwork and our onsite team.

“Every empty drink can could be recycled and back on a shop shelf as a brand-new can in just 60 days. So, every action, no matter how small, really does add up to help make a big difference – and all year round, not just on Earth Day”  

Mural artist, Ollie Gillard, added:

“Working with Every Can Counts on this project has combined my love for street art and the environment. It’s been a pleasure to team up to spread their important message about the importance of recycling through the power of art. I hope the people of Bristol enjoyed the CANvas’ debut!”   

Earth Day in Bristol… Every Day

Earth Day is a great moment to pause and reflect, but recycling your drink cans makes a difference every single day. So, whether you’re at home, at work, or out in your city, every can really does count!

Visit our dedicated web page to learn more about the drink can recycling process and find out how your small actions can add up to make a huge difference!

  • ChrisUK

Fried, Scrambled or Rolled: Celebrating Earth Day at the Preston Egg Roll

Fried, Scrambled or Rolled: Celebrating Earth Day at the Preston Egg Roll 2560 1707 ChrisUK

Grafitti, egg rolling, and a googly-eyed mascot made of cans? Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day with Every Can Counts!

To celebrate Earth Day, we partnered with Preston City Council and local artist, Shawn Sharpe, to bring you a brand-new CANvas design during the Preston Egg Roll! The event saw thousands of locals gather in Avenham Park on Easter Monday to roll their chocolate egg down the hill and enjoy workshops, music, and street theatre.

Made up of over 700 recycled drink cans, the latest #EveryCanCounts CANvas aims to raise awareness around the importance of recycling and encourage people to recycle their drink cans at events like the Preston Egg Roll and beyond.

Shawn, who is well known for his mural artworks around the North West, live-painted the CANvas with a bespoke Earth Day design which depicts a pair of hands holding a smiling planet to demonstrate that every action to protect the environment goes a long way.

A team of recycling ambassadors were at the event, collecting used drink cans in their recycling backpacks and engaging with members of the public to spread their message about the benefits of recycling. Canzee, our recently updated canny mascot made from 300 recycled drink cans, also captured the attention of the crowds at the Preston Egg Roll. His role was simple: to remind everyone that every can really does count and to show the public the fun side of drink can recycling!

At the end of Earth Day, the ‘CANvas’ installation will be transferred to its permanent location at Eco Town, an interactive educational experience at Farington Waste Recovery Park.

Check out our highlights from the Preston Egg Roll here:

Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager for Every Can Counts, said: “It was great to make an appearance at the popular Preston Egg Roll with our ‘CANvas’ installation designed by the brilliant Shawn Sharpe.

“The event was not only a great way to celebrate Easter but also to mark Earth Day, which is all about encouraging worldwide action to help benefit the environment and preserve the planet.

“Aluminum, including drink cans and the foil wrapper from Easter eggs, is infinitely recyclable so it’s important to dispose of it properly this Eastertime and beyond!

“What’s more, every empty drink can could also be recycled and back on a shop shelf as a brand-new can in just 60 days. So, every action, no matter how small, really does add up to help make a big difference.”

Shawn, who also runs mural workshops for children and adults in Preston, said: “It has been interesting because I don’t get nervous when I paint…but because it is my first live painting in Preston, I didn’t really know what the response from the public was going to be like. [They have been] really engaging, humbling, and it’s nice to see that a lot of people know what’s happening within the City.”

You can learn more about Shawn’s work on his Facebook page.

  

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