Agencies: Scattered across forests worldwide, an imaginative collection of towering wooden trolls crafted from trash is quietly encouraging humans to adopt more sustainable ways of life.
Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo, along with his team, has constructed 170 large troll sculptures using reclaimed materials like wooden pallets, discarded furniture, and old wine barrels.
Since launching the “Trail of a Thousand Trolls” project 12 years ago, Dambo’s creations have appeared in more than 20 countries and 21 U.S. states. Every year, the team builds about 25 new trolls, some reaching up to 40 feet (12 meters) in height.
“I believe we can create anything from anything,” said Dambo, speaking from his farm near Copenhagen. “We’re overwhelmed with waste, but one man’s trash truly can be another’s treasure.”
A special exhibition titled “Trolls Save the Humans,” featuring six of the sculptures, is currently on view at Filoli, a historic 650-acre estate filled with gardens and forests located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of San Francisco.
“They remind us of our connection to nature and the earth,” said Jeannette Weederman, who visited the site with her son in July.
Each troll has a unique character and story. At Filoli, Ibbi Pip builds birdhouses, Rosa Sunfinger plants flowers, and Kamma Can creates jewelry from garbage.
“These trolls all have tales to tell,” said Filoli CEO Kara Newport. “They encourage visitors to imagine their own stories and reconnect with the natural world around them.”
The trolls, as envisioned by Dambo, are skeptical of humans due to their environmental destruction and wastefulness. These mythical beings, with lifespans stretching thousands of years, have seen the damage wrought by human civilizations.
However, the younger trolls featured at Filoli hold a more hopeful outlook. They believe they can teach humans to care for the planet before it’s too late.
“They want to save the humans by showing them how to live in harmony with nature,” said Dambo, 45, who is also a poet and former hip-hop artist. “They hope to keep humans from being devoured by the older trolls.”
Dambo’s trolls are tucked away in diverse natural landscapes—from forests and mountains to jungles and grasslands—across Europe, North America, Australia, Chile, and South Korea. Most sculptures are built on-site using locally sourced materials, with support from volunteers and skilled artists.
“My exhibitions now attract 4.5 million visitors globally each year, and they’re all made from trash with the help of volunteers,” said Dambo. “It’s a powerful demonstration of why we should rethink waste and embrace recycling.”
