Willemstad, 25 November 2025 – Green Phenix (Curaçao) and Perpetual Plastics (Sint Maarten) have strengthened their technical and social capacity this week during an intensive ten-day 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.
Teams from both islands worked on practical techniques for small-scale recycling, including material identification, process optimisation, consistent production with injection machines, and locally addressing technical challenges. 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.
During the sessions, concrete follow-up actions were agreed upon, including joint product development, exchange of trainers, and the establishment of regional training programmes. Students from the Instituto Buena Vista (IBB) also participated in a circular design workshop.
Green Phenix highlights that collaboration is key: circular solutions scale faster when islands combine their knowledge, experience, and capacity.
