Limpi: Transforming Beach Plastic into Sustainable Products Across the Caribbean

Overview
Limpi is a company that turns beach plastic into sustainable products. Product designers Mitchell Lammering and Debrah Nijdam started Limpi in Curaçao. They saw heavy plastic waste on local beaches. They used their design skills to give ocean plastic a new life. What began as a small backyard project now serves as a regional model for recycling and sustainable design.

From Trash to Treasure: The Early Days of Limpi

After a trip from the Netherlands, Lammering and Nijdam saw plastic waste on Curaçao’s shores. They built recycling machines from scrap metal and motors. They made hand-built shredders and extruders. They did not have professional molds. They used aluminum and simple tools to craft their first items: coasters and keychains made from recycled plastic.

A YouTube video spread fast. The video showed their work and sparked public interest. Local media then covered the story. This moment helped Limpi grow and connect with the community.

Advancing Design with Autodesk Fusion 360

Limpi soon needed better tools for accurate design. They switched from basic CAD to Autodesk Fusion 360. This tool allowed them to design molds and machine parts in one place. They made digital molds from custom aluminum for injection and casting. They used quick prototypes to fix details like radii and plastic flow. They built a hydraulic injection machine. This machine replaced manual pressing and boosted consistency and scale.

Transparency and Community Engagement

Limpi moved its operations to a 500-square-meter facility in Curaçao’s Sambil Mall. The new space improved work conditions and showed open production. Visitors watch the entire process—from shredding to molding. They even take home products made from local beach waste. This clear process builds trust and inspires community action on sustainability.

Catering to the Hospitality Industry

A local Marriott resort joined with Limpi. The resort wanted eco-friendly art for its guest rooms. Limpi created and delivered over 400 pieces of wall art from ocean waste. They used Fusion 360 and rapid 3D-printed prototypes. Their fast production cycle can take as little as two days. This quick cycle meets the resort’s strict deadlines.

Empowering Youth Through Sustainability: The Future Goals Program

Limpi works with the Sandals Foundation and Ajax Football Club on a program called Future Goals. The team turns recycled plastic into soccer goals and sports gear for Caribbean primary schools. They recycled nearly 6,500 pounds of plastic. They built more than 70 durable goalposts for school programs. The project has spread from Curaçao to Jamaica and other islands. It teaches kids environmental care along with sportsmanship.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Sustainable Recycling Across the Caribbean

Limpi plans to share its successful model with more islands. They target Aruba, Bonaire, and St. Martin as next steps. They continue to improve their machinery and mold designs. Their goal is to lead plastics recycling across the region.

Key Takeaways for Sustainable Product Enthusiasts

• Local Impact: Limpi’s work turns visible beach pollution into valuable products.
• Innovative Use of Technology: Autodesk Fusion 360 creates efficient and precise designs.
• Community Transparency: Open production builds trust and awareness.
• Collaborative Programs: Partnerships turn recycled plastic into tools for social good, especially in youth sports.
• Scalable Model: Limpi’s approach offers a blueprint for sustainable manufacturing in island communities.

Limpi shows how clear design work and community effort can turn environmental challenges into economic and educational wins. Their simple, responsible approach offers a replicable path to sustainable development across vulnerable coastal regions.

For more on sustainable innovations and eco-friendly product design, stay tuned to our blog.

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