From Bottles to Brilliance:
Redditch Makes a Splash for the Planet
Over the past year, shoppers in Redditch have been greeted by an unexpected guest in the town centre – a giant whale. Not just any whale, but the Echo Whale Bottle Bank, a striking installation that turned heads and turned recycling into a talking point.
Now, as the whale prepares to swim off to its next destination, Redditch BID and Kingfisher Shopping Centre want to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved and made it a success.
Since arriving last June, the whale has helped collect over 13,000 plastic bottles and cups, which adds up to:
- More than 260 kilograms of plastic saved from polluting our oceans
- Enough energy to power a 32" LED television for over six months
- Or to charge a mobile phone more than 700,000 times
That’s the kind of impact that truly matters. It shows what happens when a community comes together and does something simple, yet powerful.
This partnership between Redditch BID and Kingfisher was about more than recycling. It was about starting conversations, educating families, and showing that small changes can make a massive difference.
To everyone who stopped, stared, donated a bottle, or took a selfie with the whale – thank you. Every single action helped. And while the whale may be moving on, the legacy it leaves behind in Redditch is one of awareness, pride, and purpose.