FOUR tonnes of boxes used in two giant installations at the weekend were taken away and recycled by Walsh Waste & Recycling, who again joined forces with Galway International Arts Festival this year.
While thousands of people descended on Eyre Square and Waterside to take part and watch the construction of two giant cardboard installations as part of Galway International Arts Festival, Walsh Waste & Recycling was waiting in the wings to take it all away and recycle it.
The waste and recycling company, based in Oranmore, ensured The People Build by French artist Olivier Grossetête left its mark on people’s imaginations – and not the environment.
Work began on the construction of a replica of St Nicholas Church in Eyre Square on Friday morning, with thousands of people on hand to assist in and see the 20 metre creation come to life.
Then on Saturday morning, construction began on a new cardboard bridge began with thousands more on hand to assist with the 30 metre wide and 6 metre tall creation, which was floated out onto the River Corrib that evening.
Demolition work began on both structures on Sunday, with thousands of people again descending on Eyre Square and Waterside to assist in deconstructing the giant cardboard installations, and Walsh Waste & Recycling on hand to take it all away.
In total, four tonnes of cardboard was removed from both sites, which was crushed and recycled by the company, ensuring there is no unnecessary waste following the event.
Managing Director of Walsh Waste, Gerard Walsh said: “Thousands got involved over the few days between the construction and demolition – and the kids had a ball with the demolition.
”All of the cardboard was recycled following demolition, which took less that one hour “thanks to the help from about 200 kids.
Walsh, who graduated with a degree in civil engineering from NUI Galway in 1997 and completed a master’s in engineering science at NUI Galway following his degree.
“I jumped at the chance to build a bridge, even it was from cardboard and had a design life of 24 hours.”
This year’s Galway International Arts Festival continues until 29th July.
Tickets are on sale via www.giaf.ie, by phone on 091 566 577 or in person at the GIAF box office located in the Galway Tourist Office on Forster Street or in the Festival Kiosk in Eyre Square.
