Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Hua Toitū, Kaupapa me te Hoahoa Kākāriki Competition Category.

HiriwaHua Toitū· 2025

Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua

by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Client: DesignNest

A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Hua Toitū Category

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Verified Award Winner
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Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua

Ko te Spiral Christmas Eco3 te rākau hanga tuatahi kua hangaia katoa mai i ngā rauemi hangarua 100 ōrau, ā, ka taea te hangarua katoa i te wā kotahi. Kāore pēnei i ngā tauira tuku iho e whakauru ana i te pāreitihi me te rino, ko tēnei hoahoa e whai ana i tētahi anga koropiko mana pūtea kua hangaia mai i te pāreitihi PET hangarua, kaiārai ahi. Ka taea te kopa papatahi hei whakaiti i te tukunga CO2, ka taea te whakauru i roto i te mēneti kotahi, ā, kei roto ngā rama mana USB-C me ngā pāhono ao whānui. He iti, he toitū, he māmā hoki ki te penapena, he whiringa hou hoa-ao hei urupare mō ngā rākau hararei tuku iho.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hiriwa

Ko Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Spiral Eco3 Rākau Kirihimete Hangarua he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.

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