A Barbados-based recycling enterprise is poised for international expansion following remarkable royal endorsement of its innovative sustainable construction products. B’s Recycling, under Managing Director Paul Bynoe, has developed climate-resilient paving blocks manufactured entirely from repurposed waste materials including discarded plastic bottles and caps combined with sand and other reused components.
These specialized pavers, capable of withstanding pressures up to 2,600 pounds per square inch (PSI), captured the attention of Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during their recent visit to Curaçao. The royal couple expressed both surprise and admiration upon examining product samples, initiating preliminary export discussions with Dutch territories including Curaçao and potentially the Netherlands mainland.
The international interest stems from a strategic partnership with Martijn Kampshoff, founder of Fuse Kitchen, who supplied the specialized machinery for paver production. While negotiations remain in early stages, Bynoe confirmed the royal household’s enthusiasm for developing a comprehensive trade package that could include additional product lines beyond the current pavers.
To meet anticipated international demand, B’s Recycling is transitioning from manual to automated production systems. The current manual equipment produces approximately 300 pavers daily, while the planned automated machinery promises more than double this output through streamlined ‘lock and load’ operation.
Domestically, Barbadian consumers already benefit from reduced pricing at Kooyman hardware stores, which operates six locations across Dutch Caribbean islands. The company has secured production concessions that enable more competitive consumer pricing while maintaining product quality.
Future expansion plans include February 2024 exports to Guyana, where private interest has emerged from residential construction projects. Additionally, the European Union has expressed formal support through Ambassador Fiona Ramsey, potentially providing both financial assistance and technical guidance for scaling recycling operations.
International validation continues with recent endorsements from officials representing Spain, France, and Ireland during facility tours. Bynoe emphasizes that beyond financial support, the project benefits from valuable technical guidance that enhances local manufacturing capabilities using Barbados’ abundant solar energy resources.