World Record Eco-Tree (Crafted from Recycled Materials)

This is an initiative intended to challenge perceptions of local craft and also to create an iconic sculptural item that will generate local and international interest. The tree will be constructed largely from recycled material with the help of the Durban community in collecting recyclable items and "chipping in".
The Tree is dedicated to the Memory of our good friend and long-time supporter Jim Smale who passed away in 2009. His family are kindly raising funds to assist with the building of the tree.

[Mar 2010] ECO-TREE FINISHED ! UNVEILED AT THE DESIGN INDABA:

The Eco-Tree was finished in earnest in time to be transported to Cape Town for the 2010 Design Indaba. The tree took pride of place on our Umcebo Trust stand at the Indaba and drew a huge amount of public and media attention. We feel that the project was a success in that it draw much needed attention to the work of the trust and also showed what can be done in the realm of recycling when talented crafters are brought together under a common vision and with the support of the community at large.

Thanks to all who believed that this project could be completed and "did their bit".

Specifically, thanks to Dick Whittington, Di Ching, Linda Ness, Mike McFadyean, The Smale Family, Diana Broese van Groenou, Dept of Arts and Culture (Ethekwini Cluster), Fluid Transfer Systems, Evelyn Cohen, Staff and Pupils of St Mary's, Betty Smith, Mark Liptrot, Nicola Jenvey, Marietjie Linde, all those who collected corks, bottle tops and plastic bottles for us.

[Feb 2010] Eco-Tree art used for CD Cover:

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Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright are folk pop / rock musicians, performers and recording artists with a number of successful CD's. They hail from Canada and their music, besides being wonderful to listen to; is theamed around environmental / ecological issues, with a special emphasis on mobilising and motivating children to become more vocal and active in environmental issues.

Kevin and Holly were looking for appropriate artwork for their latest CD cover when they chanced upon the Umcebo Trust web site and found the Artists Impression of the Eco-Tree done by Mike McFadyean - our Graphic Designer. They approached Mike about using the CD cover and he was very excited about the possibility of the Eco-Tree art being used for their CD cover.

The CD is now in its final stages of completion and is called "I Am the Future". You can read more about Holly and Kevin and their work by following this link - http://www.hollyarntzen.co/

In addition to the CD cover, the Trust is also liaising with Kevin Wright about possible opportunities for project collaboration in the future since there is much synergy between us and them.

[Jan 2010] Eco-Tree reaches full height:

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The Eco-Tree has reached it's full height and now is starting to grow branches.

Thanks to all those members of the public who have kindly brought us their bottle caps, corks and plastic bottles.

[Jan 2010] Imagine Durban Article:

Thanks to Amanda Dray and the team at ImagineDurban web site for kindly covering our Eco-Tree story. Click here or on the picture to read the full story.

[Dec 2009] Eco Tree Progress - final 2009 update:

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Final Eco-Tree update for 2009.

[Dec 2009] Eco Tree Progress:

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Update on the Eco Tree (see pictures).

[Dec 2009] Sunday Tribune Article - Umcebo Eco Tree:

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The Eco Tree Project was given full coverage in the "Green" supplement to The Sunday Tribune on 6th December 2009.

Special thanks to Viv Attwood and Sandile Ndlovu for producing a beautiful uplifting article about us.

[Dec 09] INKUNZI Crowd Control Fencing Donation:

Thanks to INKUNZI Crowd Control Fencing who have kindly agreed to loan us fencing to put around the Eco Tree as it takes shape to keep members of the public from getting too close to the tree during the construction phase (for safety reasons).

[Dec 09] Full Steam Ahead:

The tree is coming on in leaps and bounds.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR EMPTY 2LT PLASTIC BOTTLES AND PLASTIC CAPS, CORKS ETC... WE NEED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.