As a country, we’ve become increasingly better at recycling over the last decade, but we still have yet to reach the 50% benchmark set by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Many of us are proud recyclers who have two separate bins – one that collects the standard household waste and the other for all basic recycling items such as paper, cardboard, cans and bottles. But despite our best efforts, it is the younger and next generations that will help secure the planet, so it is important that we teach them in ways they understand. We owe it to the children of the future to protect the world in better ways than we did.

In true British Ironwork Centre style, this Transformer sculpture was constructed and created as an educational tool and resource to increase awareness around recycling. By using the iconic robot superhero character as a muse, children are drawn to its presence and can relate recycling to something that they know and love. Made from recycled car parts it emphasises the need for recycling and resource conservation in an art form. By repurposing and reusing materials, it is not only a sustainable option which is good for the planet, it turns so-called ‘junk’ into something new. Teaching children from a young age about world topics is a great way to not only increase their knowledge and skills but also raise their awareness related to sustainability issues. By creating a teaching unit which children can physically see, it reinforces the ecological value and ensures the safety of the environment.

The Transformer sculpture was chosen as it is highly recognisable to all age groups. Despite all Transformer films being rated a certificate 12, Transformers have become increasingly popular children’s toys throughout the years, as they do so much more than the average toy. Thanks to the whole premise, a Transformer toy does what it says on the tin, it transforms. Children can therefore spend hours transforming their toys and staging battles between the Autobots and the Decepticons.

This sculpture has been inspired by Bumblebee the Transformer. A fictional robot superhero in the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee is a member of the Autobots, a group of self-configuring extra-terrestrial lifeforms which take original forms as vehicles. Transforming from an American muscle car, a Chevrolet Camaro, Bumblebee is named adequately based on his black and yellow striped paint scheme and is a fan favourite within the movie franchise.  So much so, he received his own spin off film in 2018 which, despite being the sixth instalment, is the prequel to the famous film franchise.