A mural of an ancient mammoth, made entirely from used plastic bottle lids, has gone up on the wall of Clementswood Church in Ilford Lane
A striking new mural made entirely from thousands of discarded plastic bottle tops has been unveiled on the wall of Clementswood Church in Ilford Lane, adding a bold splash of colour—and a powerful message about sustainability—to the busy Redbridge thoroughfare.
The artwork depicts a life-sized steppe mammoth, named “Marley”, created in collaboration between local school children and sustainable artist Caitlin Atherton. Funded through national grants and commissioned by Redbridge Council, this is the second in a growing series of public art installations transforming Ilford Lane.
Far from being a random design, Marley carries deep historical resonance. Around 200,000 years ago, steppe mammoths roamed what is now Redbridge. In fact, the most complete mammoth skull and tusks ever found in Britain were unearthed just off Ilford Lane by local workers. The original now resides in the Natural History Museum, while a replica is on display at Redbridge Museum for local residents to visit.
Caitlin Atherton, the artist behind the mural, worked closely with children from nearby schools to design the piece. “We thought about which colours represented The Lane,” she explained. “Together, we designed this multi-coloured mammoth with his skeleton to represent the one found here and bring it back to life. The children were amazing—some came in with bags full of bottle lids to use for the mural.”
The project was as much about environmental education as it was about artistic expression. In the lead-up to the installation, children learned about Ilford’s ancient natural history, the importance of sustainability, and how everyday waste can be turned into meaningful public art.
Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, called the mural a symbol of community creativity and environmental awareness. “Marley the mammoth is the second in a series of murals to appear on Ilford Lane. Last week we welcomed a huge Kingfisher mural further down the road. These artworks were inspired by suggestions from local children who wanted to see more nature on the Lane,” he said.
“I’m especially proud that this mural is made from recycled plastic—an excellent example of sustainability in action. By brightening up the Lane, we hope to inspire residents to continue working with us to keep it clean and vibrant.”
The mammoth mural is part of a broader ambition by Redbridge Council to become the first borough in England recognised by UNICEF UK as a “Child Friendly Borough.” This includes creating spaces where young people’s voices are heard and reflected in civic decisions. The mural, involving children from concept to execution, is a glowing example of that commitment.
Another massive mural is also on its way—a six-storey artwork celebrating Ilford Lane’s famous textiles trade and the vibrancy of its local shops. Like Marley, it promises to be a testament to the area’s rich identity, woven together with art, history, and community pride.
