Josh Gluckstein: Recycled Cardboard Animal Sculptures to Advocate for their Conservation

Pia Diamandis -

Orangutans, Elephants, Tigers and Rhinos all share the jungles and rainforests of the world as their home. Yet, another thing they have in common is the destruction of their habitat by human activity. Around the world, jungles and rainforests are being cut down to make way for everything from logging, mining, the paper industry and so much more. 

Josh Gluckstein with his wildlife cardboard pieces. Image courtesy of @joshglucksteinartist/Instagram.

Now, London-based artist Josh Gluckstein is creating life-like cardboard sculptures of wildlife to highlight the environmental toll that human consumption has had on the lives of these animals. This is why the recycled cardboard sculptures by Josh Gluckstein are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land.

Orangutan by Josh Gluckstein. Image courtesy of @joshglucksteinartist/Instagram.

Gluckstein’s use of cardboard is particularly interesting as it is a material that has been inseparable from contemporary human life, think about all the cardboard boxes used to ship items everyday. Because of this, Business Waste has concluded that the world produces 72 million tonnes of cardboard annually. Combined with paper, it generally forms up to 17 percent of the world’s waste, the second-highest amount after food and green waste. Hence, it is only fitting that Gluckstein gives the materials a second chance. His use of them to encourage people to choose greener alternatives is all the more poetic.

Lion by Josh Gluckstein. Image courtesy of @joshglucksteinartist/Instagram.

Josh Gluckstein’s recycled cardboard animal sculptures bring attention to the devastating effects of human activity on wildlife and their habitats. By transforming discarded cardboard into lifelike representations of endangered species, Gluckstein raises awareness of the destruction caused by industries like logging and mining and encourages sustainable materials. His work creatively highlights the environmental impact of human consumption, offering both a poignant message and a second life to waste materials.

Find out more about the recycled cardboard animal sculptures and other initiatives by Josh Gluckstein on their website www.joshgluckstein.com or Instagram @joshglucksteinartist.