Dreamfactory: Empower & Create to Sustain

Dear supporters,

Since our last update in July, we’ve continued to grow, innovate, and deepen our impact, and we’re excited to share some powerful milestones with you.

One of the most joyful achievements of recent months has been the launch of the I-Care Coins. Made from locally recycled plastic and celebrating five of Curaçao’s iconic animals, these coins have quickly become a symbol of pride, education, and purpose: “the Curaçao souvenir that gives back.”

We introduced the coins at markets, partner stores, and our own facility. Everyone who brings in clean plastic to recycle receives a special price, reinforcing something we deeply believe: impact grows faster when the whole community is involved.

You can now find the I-Care Coins at:

- Carmabi’s national parks

- Cas Lila

- Morena Eco Resort

- Café Magic

- The Megapier (sold by Mabel to cruise visitors)

- Coral Estate

Seeing these coins travel around the world in people’s pockets and suitcases reminds us that circular innovation from small islands can inspire far beyond our shores.

Expanding Our Circular Product Ecosystem

Our circular product line is evolving quickly. Alongside the I-Care Coins, we are now creating:

- Buttons and beads for local makers

- Half-fabricates for Kukudushi, enabling new island-made souvenirs

- Colorful chess pieces supporting education and community play

- Bitcoin-themed souvenirs

- Mini-flower pots

- Sea Turtle Identification tools to support awareness and conservation

As we grow production, we are actively identifying new retail partners for these items — ensuring that circular innovation also strengthens local entrepreneurship, skills, and creativity.

Knowledge Exchange: Circular Collaboration in Action

This week, with the support of TUI and Stichting Doen, we are hosting an international knowledge exchange that brings together innovators from across the region and beyond. Our partners from Perpetual Plastics in Sint Maarten are back on Curaçao, building on our growing inter-island collaboration. We are also welcoming Rory Dickens, Founder of the Sustainable Design Studio in London and an early leader in the global Precious Plastic movement.

Throughout the week, our teams are working side by side, experimenting with advanced processing techniques, improving machine maintenance approaches, and co-designing creative new products. Together, we’re also openly exploring the real challenges of recycling on islands, learning from each other’s successes and frustrations, and grounding solutions in the realities of island life.

The exchange goes far beyond machines and materials. Together, we organized a beach cleanup, strengthening our shared commitment to protecting the place we call home. We are also hosting a special educational session for IBB students — inspiring the next generation to see circularity as a path to creativity, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship.

These moments of learning, collaboration, and connection are building a stronger regional network of people dedicated to transforming waste into value, exactly the kind of partnership that accelerates circular economies on islands.

Team Expansion

In the past two weeks, we welcomed three new participants into our Learn & Work Trajectory. With additional workspace available, we can expand this programme further, offering more people structure, purpose, personal growth, and hands-on skills that open new opportunities.

You Can Be Part of This Movement

Green Phenix is built on community power and there are so many meaningful ways to get involved:

- Bring clean plastic to our facility and join our growing circular community

- Take part in a beach cleanup and help keep pollution out of our ocean

- Support group activities or community sessions with in-kind contributions

 - Purchase I-Care Coins or other recycled products

 - Share our mission with friends, neighbors, and visitors

 - And of course, donations allow us to empower more people, expand training, and remove more pollution from our environment

Every action, big or small, helps protect our island while supporting people in building brighter, more resilient futures.

If you feel inspired to support our mission, we would love to welcome you, whether it’s with a bag of clean plastic, a few hours at a cleanup, or a donation that strengthens our work.

Thank You

Your support continues to be the foundation of everything we do. Every coin purchased, every kilogram of plastic collected, and every partnership formed brings Curaçao one step closer to becoming an inclusive, circular, and resilient island.

Together, we are transforming waste into value and building a stronger future for our island.

With gratitude,

The Green Phenix Team

Links:

• http://www.greenphenix.com