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Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Prata in Design Sustentável, Produtos e Projetos Ecológicos Competition Category.


PrataProduto Sustentável· 2025

Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável

by Design Nest and Nuwa Circular Solutions

Client: DesignNest

A' Design Award de Prata Winner in Produto Sustentável Category

Colors

The Design

About Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável

A Spiral Christmas Eco3 é a primeira árvore artificial feita inteiramente de materiais 100% recicláveis que é completamente reciclável ao mesmo tempo. Ao contrário dos modelos tradicionais que combinam plástico e aço, este design apresenta uma estrutura espiral patenteada feita de plástico PET reciclado e resistente ao fogo. É embalada de forma plana para reduzir as emissões de CO2, monta-se em menos de um minuto e inclui luzes alimentadas por USB-C com plugues internacionais. Compacta, sustentável e fácil de armazenar, oferece uma alternativa moderna e ecológica às árvores de Natal convencionais.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Prata

Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável conquistou o A' Design Award de Prata, um reconhecimento extraordinariamente prestigiado atribuído a designs de topo de gama, deslumbrantes e impressionantes. Os vencedores da Prata são obras tremendamente brilhantes e extremamente criativas que ilustram a perícia, o talento e a acuidade excecionais dos seus designers. Espera-se que Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável seja uma obra maravilhosa e de referência, notavelmente profissional e profundamente inovadora. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Prata é uma invenção muito notável e admirada, que beneficia e faz avançar as fronteiras da arte, da ciência, do design e da tecnologia. Spiral Eco3 Árvore de Natal Reciclável é uma criação imensamente invejada que desperta desejos, traz sentimentos positivos e faz nascer espanto e deslumbramento.

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

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