Croatian NGO Maritimo Recycling Turns Plastic Caps into Floaties Sunglasses

Maritimo Recycling, a nonprofit based near Dubrovnik, has been collecting plastic waste, especially bottle caps, from the Adriatic Sea and beaches for ten years. The gathered caps are cleaned, shredded, melted and pressed into new products, most notably the Floaties line of sunglasses and other fashion accessories.

All revenue from sales is reinvested in the organization, financing further beach‑cleaning operations, boat rentals, equipment and staff salaries. The initiative also runs educational workshops for tourists, showing the full recycling process from cap collection to finished accessory. Volunteers and donors from across Croatia contribute caps, enabling the continuous removal of marine debris.

The project demonstrates a circular‑economy model where discarded plastic becomes a marketable, eco‑friendly product, supporting ongoing environmental protection in the Adriatic region.