7 Wonders of the World made with Waste

While many of you might have visited all or some of the seven wonders of the world, there will be many others who have not had the opportunity to see any of them. Located in six different countries, visiting the seven wonders of the world is not only logistically tricky but would also take a toll on your finances.  

Don’t lose hope; if you are in India’s national capital, Delhi or if it is possible to visit Delhi, you can also get a feel of the seven wonders of the world.

While there are many gardens and parks in Delhi, one stands out as a little different and special. Located in the heart of the capital, Waste to Wonder park has installed replicas of the seven wonders of the world.

Thousands of visitors come to see large replicas of the Great Pyramid, the Colosseum, the Christ Redeemer, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and, of course, the special attraction is the wonder of the world located in India, the Taj Mahal.

That’s not all, to develop the installations in the park, around 150 tons of scrap have been used. A variety of waste materials are utilised, including industrial waste such as automobile parts, municipal waste like sewer lines, and scrap from old parks, as well as household metal waste like old appliances, fans, bicycles, and bike parts, and metal railings. Most of the scrap materials were acquired from the landfills of New Delhi.

The Waste to Wonder theme park spans five acres in Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van, near Sarai Kale Khan, approximately 5 km from India Gate.

The park was created within six months by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and inaugurated in February 2019. The total cost of construction was Rs. 7.5 crores, which included the services of 5 artists, seven supporting artists, 70 welders, and many helpers. 

The park is divided into seven distinct sections, each focusing on a wonder of the world, allowing the public to enjoy a single attraction without being distracted by the other models nearby. This Delhi park is not just a showcase of effective waste management, but it also demonstrates its energy conservation capabilities and biodiversity.

The wide alleys that a visitor traverses from one wonder to another are lined with trees, plants, and shrubs; a small waterfall also adds serenity to the surroundings. Additionally, the park operates on renewable energy sources, including windmills, solar trees, and rooftop solar panels. 

The 5-acre theme park attracts thousands of visitors daily and serves as an incredible example of the Indian government’s cleanliness initiative, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Locals, children, and tourists gain a visual perspective on transforming waste into art. 

Seven Wonders of the World

1. Great Pyramid at Giza

Real: The Great Pyramid at Giza, built between 2550 and 2490 B.C., is the oldest of the seven wonders of the World. The Great Pyramid is the largest Egyptian pyramid and the tomb of the ancient ruler Khufu in Egypt. 

Waste to Wonder Park: The 18-foot replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza weighs almost 12 tonnes in total. More than 100 layers of angles were made using metal pipes

2. The Colosseum

Real: The Colosseum is in the centre of the City of Rome in Italy. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD. The Colosseum’s shape is roughly oval, measuring 615 feet long, 510 feet wide, and 157 feet high, making it the largest arena in the Roman world. This giant amphitheatre was used for gladiator games, dramas, and multiple public events.

Waste to Wonder Park: The 16-foot-tall and 38-foot-wide replica of the Roman sculpture is many times smaller than the original, but this one is made with approximately 11 tonnes of scrap. Making the Colosseum required metal pipes from the children’s park, metal sheets from trucks, tyre rims, automobile parts, and gears.

3. Christ the Redeemer

Real: Christ the Redeemer is a 98-foot statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue was constructed between 1922 and 1931 at the peak of the 2,300-foot Corcovado mountain. The high altitude of the site provides an incredible view of the city of Rio de Janeiro and its natural beauty. To create the statue, reinforced concrete and soapstone were used.

Waste to Wonder Park: This replica of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer stands 25 feet tall and has been constructed using more than 15 tonnes of waste. Metal cast and mould were used to give shape to the structure, which includes electric pipes, automobile scraps, bike chains, etc

4. The Statue of Liberty

Real: The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States in 1886. The 151-foot statue is covered in 300 sheets of coin-thin copper. The statue represents freedom, inspiration, and hope. Interestingly, the man who created another wonder of the world, the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel, was engaged to design the skeletal framework of the Statue of Liberty.

Waste to Wonder Park: The 32-foot high Statue of Liberty used approximately 4 tonnes of scrap. The tablet in Lady Liberty’s hand is made of metal sheets, the torch is made of the parts of an old bike, and the cycle chains form her hair. 

5. The Eiffel Tower

Real: The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower in Paris, France. The tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower between 1887 and 1889. The tower is more than 1,000 ft tall and is one of the most renowned symbols of Paris. Millions of tourists visit to see the structure, and a few of them also go and enjoy the food served at the restaurants located on the first and second levels of the Eiffel Tower.

Waste to Wonder Park: At 60 feet, the miniature Eiffel Tower is the tallest installation in Waste to Wonder Park. 40 tonnes of automobile scrap are used, including diesel tanks and clutch plates

6. The Leaning Tower of Pisa 

Real: The Leaning Tower is the bell tower located in Pisa, Italy. The tower derives its name because of its nearly four-degree lean. The leaning of the structure began during construction in the 12th century due to soft ground, which could not adequately support the structure’s weight. In 1990, the tilt reached 5.5 degrees, after which remedial work was conducted between 1993 and 2001, reducing the tilt to 3.97 degrees. The top floor houses seven bells, one for each note of the musical scale.

Waste to Wonder Park: The 25-foot-high Leaning Tower of Pisa replica was constructed using more than 10 tonnes of waste. Cycle rims are used to create the arches, old pipes are utilised to form the pillars, and scrap metal sheets are used to construct the formations beneath the arches. 

7. Taj Mahal, India

Real: The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in Agra. Mughal ruler Shah Jahan built this wonder of the world on the banks of the river Yamuna in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1653. The dome architecture, ornate designs, and four minarets make the Taj Mahal one of the most beautiful buildings ever created.

Waste to Wonder Park: 30 tonnes of waste materials have gone into the making of the miniature Taj Mahal. Every Dome, minaret, window, and door was intricately designed, created, and assembled one by one. 

Wrapping Up

No one can take the charm of visiting the actual site of the seven wonders of the world; however, if you want to get a feel of them, you can see India’s national capital, Delhi. 

The theme park also sets an excellent example of leveraging the city’s waste to enhance the beauty of public places. Waste to Wonder Park in Delhi celebrates the spirit of cleanliness, upcycling, recycling, energy conservation, and biodiversity.

Location

Block A, Ganga Vihar, Sarai Kale Khan, New Delhi, Delhi 110013. Nearest Metro: Hazrat Nizamuddin (Pink Line)

Watch the video on the Waste to Wonders Park to get a visual perspective on the seven wonders of the world and their creative installations.