Willemstad:--- Green Phenix (Curaçao) and Perpetual Plastics (under the EPIC Foundation - Sint Maarten) strengthened their technical and social capacity last week during an intensive week-long knowledge exchange programme. The training was organised with support from TUI and Stichting DOEN and facilitated by Scottish designer Rory Dickens, based in the United Kingdom and a pioneer within the global Precious Plastic movement, which is the basis of both recycling initiatives.
Teams from both islands worked on practical techniques for small-scale recycling, including material identification, process optimisation, consistent production with injection machines, instructions on extruder usage, mould design, and locally addressing technical challenges. A coastal clean up was also executed to portray the importance and need for such actions and recycling initiatives. During the sessions, concrete follow-up actions were agreed upon, to continuously be able to support each other and to make a bigger regional impact.
The results were immediately visible: higher product quality and more efficient workflows within the circular workspaces.
According to Dickens, small, locally maintainable systems are essential for islands: “They are affordable, replicable, and strengthen local self-reliance.” In addition to technical skills, the programme emphasised social impact. The circular workspaces provide new opportunities for participants to develop skills, gain work experience, and contribute to a resilient regional economy.
The Green Phenix and the Perpetual Plastics teams highlight that collaboration is key: circular solutions scale faster when islands combine their knowledge, experience, and capacity.
