The Creation Process and The Community Behind Marley the Mammoth

The Marley the Mammoth mural is a true community creation, made possible by the incredible support of local schools, community groups, businesses, and residents who came together to collect thousands of plastic bottle lids.

From the very beginning, this project was about more than just art – it was a collaborative effort to raise awareness about sustainability while celebrating Ilford’s rich Ice Age history. Schools led the way, encouraging students and families to gather lids, while community groups and local businesses also joined in, making it a borough-wide initiative.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed! Whether by donating bottle lids, participating in workshops, or spreading the word, your support has helped create London’s largest recycled plastic bottle lid mural.

This has truly been a borough-wide effort, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part.

📽 Watch the videos below to see the journey of Marley’s creation – from lid collection to the final installation!

The installation - Day 6