Limpi: Transforming Beach Plastic into Sustainable Products Across the Caribbean

Tackling Plastic Waste with Innovative Design

After studying product design in the Netherlands, Mitchell Lammering and Debrah Nijdam returned to Curaçao. They saw heavy plastic on the beaches. This strong sight pushed them to use their design skills. They changed waste plastic into useful, eco-friendly products. They built recycling machines from scrap materials. They even built a shredder and an extruder.

Advancements Through Digital Design and Fusion Software

Limpi began by making simple coasters and keychains. Soon, they made more complex recycled items. They turned to Autodesk Fusion for clear and smooth design work. Fusion is a CAD/CAM tool that links design and machining. With it, they made molds and ran CNC machines without delays. They refined each design. They learned details like draft angles and plastic flow. Their work moved from 2D plans to fully 3D models.

Scaling Production with Custom Hydraulic Injection Machines

Limpi once produced 2,500 keychains using manual machines. Those machines needed hard work and did not give steady results. Using Fusion, the team built a hydraulic injection machine. This machine lets them set the pressure and gives reliable output. It raised production efficiency and opened the door to larger-scale work.

Transparency and Education Through Public Engagement

Limpi now works in a 500‑square‑meter space at Curaçao’s Sambil Mall. Here, visitors watch the recycling process through showroom windows. They see plastic change into finished products. This clear view builds trust. It helps the community learn about recycling and strengthens Limpi’s mission to add value to waste.

Partnering with Hospitality to Create Eco-Art

Limpi joined with the Marriott Resort to make eco‑friendly wall art. They produced more than 400 pieces from ocean plastics. Using Fusion, the team turned 2D sketches into 3D prototypes. They then made final molds fast—sometimes in just two days.

Empowering Caribbean Youth via Future Goals Program

Limpi works with the Sandals Foundation and Ajax Football Club on the Future Goals program. The program turns recycled plastic into soccer goals and school gear. So far, they recycled about 6,500 pounds of plastic—equal to 1.5 million bottle caps. They supplied over 70 goalposts to schools across the Caribbean. This work teaches sustainability and builds community strength.

Vision for Regional Expansion

Limpi started in a small backyard workshop. Now, it leads sustainable manufacturing. They plan to copy their recycling model to other Caribbean islands like Aruba, Bonaire, and St. Martin. Their goal is to become the top sustainable plastics recycler in the region. They keep refining designs and processes to boost environmental and social impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Limpi turns beach plastic into sustainable products with custom machines.
• Autodesk Fusion makes design, mold-making, and CNC work easier.
• Hydraulic injection molding raises production and quality.
• Transparent facilities help the public learn about recycling.
• Partnerships with hospitality and schools widen Limpi’s reach.
• Future plans target Caribbean growth for recycling.

Limpi shows that smart design and local effort can fight environmental problems and support sustainable growth.

Source: Fusion Blog, January 22, 2026

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.