Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Productum Sustinibile Competition Category.

ArgentumProductum Sustinibile· 2025

Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis

by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Client: DesignNest

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Productum Sustinibile Category

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Verified Award Winner
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The Design

About Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis

Spiralis Natalis Eco3 prima arbor artificialis est omnino ex materiis centum per centum recyclabilibus facta quae simul plene recyclabilis est. Dissimilis ab exemplis traditionalibus quae plasticam et chalybem miscent, haec forma compagem spiralem inventam habet ex plastica PET recyclata et ignem retardante. Plana compactatur ut emissiones CO2 reducat, intra minus quam minutum componitur, et lumina USB-C alimentata cum spinis internationalibus includit. Compacta, sustentabilis, et facilis ad conservandum, alternativam modernam et planetae amicam arboribus festis conventionalibus praebet.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Spiral Eco3 Arbor Natalis Recyclabilis creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Each year, tons of plastic trees are disposed of and cannot be recycled, as the plastic branches are inseparably molded over steel wires. This design introduces a unique spiral mounting system to uphold plastic branches made from 100 percent recycled pet. The spiral integrates Christmas lighting, powered by a universal usb-c adapter to reduce electronic waste. It can be flat-packed to lower the co2 footprint and is easy to set up.
Dimensions & Packaging: Tree dimensions: 800 x 800 x 1800mm
Packaging dimensions is 820 x 820 x 160mm

The tree can be made in various heights, from a table top Christmas tree to a tall 2.4m tree.
Tags: Eco-tree, Sustainable Christmas tree, Designed for disassembly, End-of-life recycling, Universal USB-C Power Adapter, Waste Reduction, Spiral Tree, Integrated Christmas Light, Spiral Light, Flat-packed
Production Technology: The spiral and branches are made from 100 percent recycled and recyclable pet. The spiral integrates mounting hooks and is injection molded in one piece (patents pending). The plastic is sheet-extruded into long, thin layers, which are then cut into needle-like slices and rotation-wound into a garland. The garlands click into hooks with no extra parts, cutting production time from 50 to 15 minutes. Usb-c lighting includes a built-in chip with multiple modes for cost efficiency.
Design Challenge: Designing a unique artificial Christmas tree without steel, while maintaining the authentic look and feel of a traditional tree, was a significant challenge. Finding a collaborative manufacturing partner was also difficult due to the industry's conservative stance and reluctance to innovate. Several material trials failed in terms of strength, aesthetics, or fire safety. Ultimately, overcoming cost-related thresholds was essential to making the innovation viable for the market.
Research: Research focused on sustainability issues in artificial Christmas trees. Weye Hu led studies on plastic, recyclability and greenwashing practices in the industry. Brainstorm sessions with global designers and DesignNest led to feasibility studies and prototypes. Materials, engineering, tooling, and safety compliance (rohs, ce, flame retardant tests) were validated. Through desk, market, and field research, a safe, affordable, and 100 percent recyclable tree was developed.
Inspiration: The inspiration originated with Weye Hu, who observed the waste caused by non-recyclable artificial trees. DesignNest collaborated with experts to create a 100 percent recycled and recyclable pet spiral structure that holds branches without steel. Unlike pvc, which is harmful and non-recyclable, this tree uses newly developed fire-retardant recycled pet. It also features the first usb-c powered Christmas lighting system with global plug compatibility, reducing electronic waste.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2023 in the Netherlands. The feasibility study, material research, structural research, structural engineering, 3D prototyping, pcb design, micro-chip development, mold design and testing continued in Shenzhen, China. Test-showcased to large international buyers in the Netherlands and later finalized again in Shenzhen, China.
Operation Flow: The Christmas Eco3 spirals into a cozy tree and is designed for full disassembly, allowing materials to be recycled, unlike traditional trees. It sets up in about a minute: drop the spiral onto the frame and enjoy the built-in lights with no untangling needed. It collapses into a compact, flat bundle, cutting co2 during shipping and saving storage space. Powered by usb-c, the adapter can be used year-round to charge other electronics. Fully recyclable plastic allows for easy disposal.
Patents: Patent pending numbers: 202520347920.4, 202530095868.3, China
Team Members: DesignNest B.V.
Nuwa Circular Solutions B.V.
Edelman B.V.
Image Credits: Kim Thy