Every year, nearly 50 million tons, of e-waste, are generated across the world, of which only around 12.5-percent is actually recycled and used again. Apart from the obvious environmental issues, the rapidly-growing volume of global electronic waste has been proven to cause severe health problems, such as respiratory ailments, neurological disorders and even lead poisoning. For sculptor Gabriel Dishaw, however, it serves as a valuable medium for his artistic pursuits. Best known for re-purposing electronic junk into breathtaking pieces of art, Dishaw’s latest creation is the adorable ‘Upcycled Prime’.

Calling himself an “Upcycler”, the Indiana-based artist specializes in crafting stunning sculptures and figurines, using nothing but electronic scrap. His favorite materials include typewriters and adding machines, mainly because they contain similar elements that help develop more symmetrical and uniform designs. For his current project, Dishaw drew inspiration from science fiction, creating a smaller, and more endearing, version of Transformers’ Optimus Prime.

Aptly dubbed as the Upcycled Prime, the miniature model was built entirely using discarded computer parts, like microchips, hard drive fan motors, capacitors, circuit boards and so on. In case you are interested in owning one of these, the 10 x 9.25 x 8-inch sculpture is currently being sold for a price of $600 (approx. €546).

To learn more about the artist, click here.