Dubrovnik Association Turns Plastic Caps into Fashionable Eco-Products

In Dubrovnik, Croatia, an innovative environmental project is turning discarded plastic caps into fashionable accessories like sunglasses and keychains. Maritimo Recycling, a small plastic recycling company founded by Marjan Žitnik, has been collecting plastic waste from the Adriatic Sea, beaches, and islands for a decade. The initiative has expanded to include plastic caps sent by mail from citizens across Croatia who wish to contribute.

Andrea Klečak, who has been involved with the project for a year, explained that the collected caps are sorted by type and color, then shredded. This processed material is melted and pressed to create new items. The final products, such as the Floaties sunglasses and other original fashion accessories, are meticulously finished and assembled, each carrying a message of marine conservation.

“

Today, people from all over Croatia send us caps by mail. They pack them in a box and send them because they want to be part of this story.

What makes this project particularly noteworthy is its structure as a non-profit association rather than a traditional company. All revenue generated from sales is reinvested into the project. This income supports new clean-up campaigns, boat rentals, equipment purchases, and salaries for the small team of employees who work daily in the workshop processing the plastic. Volunteers primarily participate in the clean-up actions.

“

In the last year, we have sold several thousand products. All income stays within the association and is used to finance new clean-up actions, boat rentals, equipment, and salaries for employees who work daily in the workshop.