To create awareness for the conservation efforts of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Volkswagen brought the ocean to Joburg and created the Dyer Island Inland Lighthouse – Joburg’s first lighthouse.

While lighthouses traditionally face out to sea, warning sailors of approaching land, Volkswagen created the Dyer Island Inland Lighthouse facing in the opposite direction to enlighten South Africans of the dangers of plastic waste to our oceans and its creatures.

The symbolic lighthouse is built using recycled plastic bottles, creating a spectacular light installation and goes up in The Zone @Rosebank from 30 November until 3 December 2017. The purpose of the installation is to educate South Africans about the importance of conservation efforts focused on our fragile marine eco-system, just before Joburgers flock to the beaches for the Festive Season. Not only that, the lighthouse also rewards visitors who drop plastic bottles or waste into our recycling bin by shining its lights brightly in gratitude.

The interactive installation also encourages passers by to take a brave stand against plastic waste by taking a picture in the plastic-waste created Jellyfish Insta-booth and sharing these on social media as a commitment to our oceans. For those wanting to dive right in and support the cause – and take home a token – they can donate towards the trust at the craft table. Here local crafters turn trash into treasure by creating the marine icons of Dyer Island, like penguins and sharks, out of the very material putting their futures in danger.

To spark conversation on social media, Volkswagen are also asking SA to share their wishes for the world by using #VWWishForTheWorld. “Volkswagen’s wish for the world is to be at the forefront of creating a more sustainable future and we are humbled to work with passionate partners like the Dyer Island Conservation Trust who help us make this wish come true,” commented Meredith Kelly, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen South Africa, partners and supporters of Dyer Island and the ocean’s future.

Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean – Ryunosuke Satoro

The Lighthouse will be at The Zone in Rosebank Mall from Thursday 30 November – Sunday 3 December.

 For more information on the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, read here: https://www.dict.org.za