Rubbish statue

Standing atop a mountain of rubbish with a plastic sachet in their hand and wind in their hair, the young person in our Rubbish statue encapsulates our world’s rubbish problem…

The one person who dies every 30 seconds due to diseases caused by mismanaged waste. The piles of waste many are forced to live among, as 2 billion people around the world have no safe way to dispose of their rubbish.

We’re now facing mountains of plastic pollution, dumped or burnt around the world. But Jesus told his followers that even the smallest amount of faith can move mountains.

So, this summer, our Rubbish statue is touring Christian events and church festivals around the UK to share our Rubbish Campaign. And it will invite those who see it to join together in prayer and action, to demand an end to plastic pollution and this rubbish problem.

Statue locations

You can see the Rubbish statue at the following events:

• Wildfires Festival 29–31 May, Wiston Estate, West Sussex
• Focus Festival 27–30 July, Newark Showground
• Creation Fest 3–6 August, Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Wadebridge

About the artist

The Rubbish statue was made by contemporary sculptor Joseph Paxton. Joseph was born in rural Wales and studied Fine Art at Newcastle University. His work explores what it is to be a living being, with many of his works featuring animals. Check out his website and Instagram profile to see more of his incredible sculptures and drawings.

This is a rubbish campaign

Visit the Rubbish Campaign page for more information about our world’s rubbish problem and how it is impacting people living in poverty the most. Watch our campaign film and sign our petition calling on world leaders to end plastic pollution. You can also use our free resources to host a rubbish event in your church, reduce your own plastic with our Rubbish Challenge and use our prayer guide to pray for the Rubbish Campaign.