Single-use plastics turned into giant turtle sculpture by students

Students from the University of Exeter’s ‘Be the Change’ Society and Art Society worked together to create the 7ft plastic turtle.

Bringing single-use plastics from around their home to the University, students, staff and the local public were encouraged to take part in building the giant turtle sculpture.

Simone Steenhagen, project leader of the event and final year psychology student at Exeter, said, “We decided to run the Think Outside the Bottle campaign because pollution caused by plastic use is such a huge issue right now, and we want to get everyone talking about it.

“We want to use this campaign to show people how our society’s addiction to plastic is so detrimental to the environment. It’s incredibly harmful to marine animals, as well as to ourselves.

“Although there is no quick fix to the problem, there are many changes we can make in our lives to reduce our individual contribution. We’re specifically targeting single-use plastics and we want to use the campaign to educate people about the alternatives available.

“This campaign has the power to generate real change on campus.” She added.

Throughout the week, other events and activities were held to raise awareness of plastic pollution. On Tuesday 20 March, a film screening of 'A Plastic Ocean' was shown, followed by guest speaker, Richard Lancaster from Greenpeace, on Thursday. 

Members of the Art Society had also created designs printed onto resuable bottles that were available for purchase. 

The campaign was one of many that ‘Be the Change’ Society have planned and according to them was, “a great success”.

See pictures of the event below: