Trash EEE-lk'- born from recycled kitchen appliances, iPads and cables – highlights Ireland's hidden electrical waste whilst reconnecting the nation with its ancient past

Designed by renowned Irish artist Ned Leddy and built from over 1,000 electrical items and components, the towering, four metre high, five metre long 'Trash EEElk, boasting 3.5 metre antlers, exposes hidden electrical waste in our homes. The installation urges everyone to recycle anything with a plug, cable or battery – and reminds the public to never bin electrical items.

Trash EEE-lk appears on St Patrick's Day

Trash EEE-lk is comprised of 80 circuit boards, 24 iPads, 28 plugs, 60 cables, 10 computers, 12 kettles and even more electrical components!

Invisible WEEE refers to small, everyday electrical items that often go unnoticed in our homes and are frequently thrown into household bins – despite the fire risks associated with improper disposal.

New research conducted on behalf of ERP Ireland shows chargers and cables (81%), smoke alarms (78%), hairdryers (76%), and even St Patrick's light-up hats and accessories (6%) are among the most owned 'Invisible WEEE' items, yet many small electrical products still end up in household bins. Chargers and cables (17%), vapes (13%) and earphones (9%) are the items most commonly misdisposed of.

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) has, today unveiled its show-stopping 'Trash EEE-lk' (EEE: Electrical and Electronic Equipment) installation ahead of this year's St Patrick's Festival in Dublin. The structure, made purely from e-waste, highlights the urgent need for Irish households to recycle (and not bin!) their invisible electrical items. The aim of the majestic mammal, which is set to dominate St. Patrick's Park from 14th – 16th March, is to encourage people to dispose of electrical items, most notably, invisible e-waste properly. 'Trash EEE-lk forms part of ERP's Sustainability Partnership with the St Patrick's Festival.

In addition to 'Trash EEE-lk', ERP has just released new findings in a survey conducted by Coyne Research. It reveals that 55% of adults have never heard of the term "Invisible WEEE", despite almost universal ownership of small electrical items that often go unnoticed in Irish homes.

The findings show that chargers and cables are the most hoarded, most binned, and most recycled Invisible WEEE items, simply because almost every household owns several of them. Everyday items such as vapes, earbuds, headphones, power banks, remote controls, power tools and small kitchen gadgets also frequently end up in household bins – a serious concern as battery-related fires at waste treatment plants are on the rise. Vapes (13%) and audio accessories (9%) are among the items most commonly misdisposed of, while smart home devices (33%), electric blankets (33%) and even St Patrick's light up hats and accessories (6%) add to ever-growing stockpiles of invisible e-waste accumulating in our homes.

ERP Ireland's 'Trash EEE-lk' brings an ancient giant back to life to symbolise Ireland's growing invisible electrical waste problem, encouraging the public to stop in their tracks and recycle responsibly, whilst highlighting the importance of correct disposal.

Designed by renowned Irish artist Ned Leddy, this striking large-scale installation is created from over 1,000 electrical items and components. Towering over the park, it measures five metres long, four metres high and boasts 3.5 metre antlers. As a form of "artivism", it does more than captivate – it aims to influence recycling culture and spark real change. Inspired by the prehistoric Irish Elk, the largest species of deer ever known, 'Trash EEE-lk' connects Ireland's ancient past with a modern reminder to recycle the unseen.

'Trash EEE-lk' forms a wider part of this year's St Patrick's Festival theme, Roots, which explores identity, belonging and the shared stories that connect generations. The majestic Irish Elk – which roamed Ireland and Europe before, during and a...