Every year, over 60 million trees are cut down globally for Christmas celebrations. A typical artificial Christmas tree generates around 40 kg of carbon emissions—equivalent to driving an average car for approximately 100 miles.

These trees may briefly bring holiday joy to a family, but eventually, they often become a burden on our oceans.

This glowing Christmas tree is reborn from 300+ discarded plastic bottles. Even waste can embody beauty and warmth. Each bottle was once a potential threat to the ocean; now, they serve as messengers of environmental awareness.

Celebrate without cutting trees, with less waste—let the planet breathe easier this season.

This creative approach of “upcycling” is gaining momentum worldwide. Holiday installations made from recycled or repurposed plastics are becoming new symbols of celebration.

In the Philippines, a group of fishermen collects discarded fishing nets and plastic bottles from the ocean to create Christmas trees and decorations. In Sweden, a company has developed a Christmas tree made entirely from biodegradable materials that can be buried and decomposed after the holidays.

True environmental protection does not mean giving up celebrations—it means reimagining how we celebrate. A Christmas tree made from over 300 plastic bottles not only reduces the potential for single-use plastic pollution but also promotes the concept of a circular economy to the public.

For families, there are many eco-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays: stack old books into the shape of a Christmas tree, craft decorations from branches and pinecones, or even project a Christmas tree image onto a wall using LED lights. Additionally, reducing holiday packaging waste is crucial. Globally, packaging waste increases by about 25% during the Christmas season, much of which ends up in the ocean. Opt for minimal packaging or use cloth gift bags instead of paper wrapping.

After the holidays, this plastic bottle Christmas tree will be carefully disassembled. The 300+ bottles will be recycled once again, ready for their next transformation.

Every plastic bottle kept out of the ocean is a Christmas gift to marine life. Our holiday joy need not come at the expense of the planet.