It proved to be a gruelling tusk – but a life sized #elephant was created using 29,649 used #batteries.
The installation was created to highlight the fact that 20,000 tonnes of portable cells end up in UK landfill sites every year.
To raise awareness of the issue, #Duracell – which recycled 170 tonnes this year – launched a 'Big Battery Hunt' and recruited 1.3 million schoolkids to hand batteries in.
A small number of these were used to create the 10 foot tall sculpture, which weighs two tonnes.
It is intended to be a visual celebration of the environmental efforts of the primary school children who have been involved in the campaign.
And with batteries being dubbed the 'elephant in room' of the recycling debate, it is hoped the creation will inspire a whole new generation of battery recyclers.
The elephant will be on show at #HanwellZoo in West London for the duration of the summer holidays.
Duracell hope the saying 'an elephant never forgets' will inspire all of us not to forget Generation Z’s power to make mammoth change.
#TonyDiaz, an artist and sculptor at #BigStuffDesign which created the jumbo artwork, said: ‘It has taken 400 hours and in excess of 29,000 recycled batteries but every moment has been worth it.
‘Creating this elephant has been a humbling reminder that powering change can come from anywhere.
'It is so inspiring to see the younger generation actively involved in making the world a better place and teaching their own parents and loved ones about the importance of recycling.’
This year the Big Battery Hunt challenged 1.3 million children from 5800 schools around the country to pick up a Big Battery Hunt collection box and hunt for used batteries in their communities.
Beau-Jensen McCubbin, a spokesman for Hanwell Zoo, said: ‘We are very proud to be the home of the Big Battery Hunt elephant and are very keen to continue to encourage our visitors to reduce landfill waste.
‘Our environment is so fragile, and now more than ever we all need to be doing our bit to protect our planet and the incredible biodiversity that calls it home.
‘We all have a responsibility to be more sustainable and we are calling on all of our visitors to make a difference by bringing their used batteries along with them on their visit to Hanwell Zoo.
‘We have bins in place to collect all the used batteries you can find.’
Christina Turner, associate marketing director at Duracell, said: ‘Generation Z are increasingly making their voices on sustainability heard.
‘By reflecting the provocative tone of the young activist movement and shining a spotlight on these young change makers, the Big Battery Hunt aims to inspire long term, positive recycling behaviours.
‘We have been so impressed with the efforts of the 1.3 million students involved in the Big Battery Hunt this year and our recycled battery elephant is a true celebration of all those involved.
‘The participation this year has been overwhelming, with over 25% of all primary schools in the UK getting involved.
‘That is a lot of children driving change. But you do not have to be of primary school age to be a battery recycler, it is a lot easier than people realise. You can even do it at your local grocery store.’
The life size elephant artwork will be based in Ealing’s Hanwell Zoo throughout the school summer holidays for the public to visit.
After the holidays, all the batteries used in its construction will be recycled.