Andrew “Andy” Kirchner was born in Curaçao in 1976. He was raised with the Caribbean cultural diversity in Curaçao and the Netherlands. After a life changing scuba diving accident in 2012 he remained paralyzed from the waist down. He quickly realized that if he would want to walk again one day, he had to see what he still had and not what he had lost. In his search to find a new purpose for his li
fe, he found a new, stronger and visionary version of himself. Andy took his time rehabilitating as a time to reflect, and study, to become a better version of himself. Physically, mentally and spiritually he developed himself to one day be able to be of service to others. The set goal brought him on an unexpected journey. Three years later, in 2015, his visualized business idea 2nd Life Curaçao, creating functional recycled art, won him the JCI IOBA Aspiring Creative Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. With his lessons learned during the most challenging period of his life, Andy Kirchner, as The Recycled Pirate | Life Awareness & Innovations, started recycling lives. He coaches, gives seminars and motivational speeches at schools, NGO's and corporate events about his own life and personal developed Life Awareness tools on how to live more aware in this digital era and become a better version of you. Since 2019 Andy joined the supervisory board of the SGR-GROUP, the same foundation where he rehabilitated and promised to return to service his community. With his Pirate Wisdom Quotes, he reaches an even broader community, considered as a social coaching program. Since 2019 The Recycled Pirate offers these as ethical merchandise on postcards, t-shirts and mugs. Visit www.therecycledpirate.com for more background information. Watch Andy Kirchner's TEDx Aruba Talk: https://youtu.be/BxY7hRhZKAk
The Recycled Pirate is powered by Kolektivo & Active Chance
23/12/2025
What is the difference between organizations like The Recycled Pirate and Club17?
1. The Recycled Pirate is my consultancy and creative engine.
2. Club17 Curaçao is a collaborative network.
As an Ecosystem Facilitator, I connect people, projects, and purpose between them.
Follow Club17 for more Sustainable Developement and Partnerships for the Goals.
Danki No Filter In Paradise for putting it on film.
It's THE Recycled Pirate, because there is only one like me 🏴☠️
Grabbing some shots from the No Filter In Paradise, because it was one of the highlights of the year!
When work is also fun, you don't realize it's work, but believe me when I say, it's hard work!
To all the creators out there creating, to all the changemakers creating change, keep creating and let no one set the pace nor limit your space!
Your creation is yours!
I'm doing it for social impact and sustainability, you do it for you! 👊
Another announcement! The show must go on! We keep growing and developing 👊
It takes one Institution that transforms and supports ideas that have sustainable solutions.
After winning the Circular Innovation Award with the Caribbeapps Mobile App Solutions & Club17 SDG-Tracker App, The Recycled Pirate took the win to produce this documentary to make Sustainability accessible to all, with Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute as our SDG Community Supporter for the State of the SDGs.
We appreciate your support, you truly show with action the importance of celebrating the innovators that build sustainable solutions. By showing people’s work, awareness can be spread and that is needed for change.
18/12/2025
I received this beautiful acknowledgement for my work from Ecoexpo Curacao Conference, and I am really grateful! 🙌
But, my gratitude extends beyond the award itself, it goes to the incredible creators behind it: Debrah Nijdam and Mitchell Lammering, better known as Limpi Recycling.
Our paths have crossed countless times over the years. I've witnessed their humble beginnings, their trials and tribulations, and the unwavering dedication that conquered both doubters and believers. They have persevered!
Debrah and Mitchell are living proof that small steps, consistently taken, make the biggest difference. Thank you both for constantly inspiring me and for keeping my own motivation high over the years.
To always be a fan and supporter: Thank you for creating these stunning pieces that embody real change. I am honored to have received one as an acknowledgement, which to me means we have truly come full circle from our early days of recycling innovation.
Let's start creating the next full circle.
16/12/2025
New update by The State of the SDGs; Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao. This is great news and keep the storytelling endeavor going and growing!
Het Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied for ‘The State of the SDGs’ Documentary!
We are extremely pleased to announce the commitment of a significant grant from the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied ( ). This financial support is a crucial step in the production of our documentary series, The State of the SDGs: Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao, and confirms the importance of highlighting sustainability on our island.
The Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied is a fund dedicated to supporting and stimulating cultural projects within the Dutch Caribbean. They provide financial grants to initiatives that promote arts, culture, and heritage. The fund aims to enrich life in the Caribbean region by making culture more beautiful and accessible.
Thanks to the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied's support, we can capture and share the stories of our local heroes and initiatives.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the Pilot Episode, coming soon!
The Ecoexpo Curacao Conference might be over, but the energy, and the impact it created, is not.
Together with our partners, we will continue the push to make understandable and accessible to everyone.
The Club17 Curacao Sustainability Map is a great example of how easy it is to choose a more sustainable lifestyle right here on the island.
Do you know an organization, business, or initiative that is walking the talk? Help us grow the map! 🗺️
Submit your sustainability idea in a PM today and help us chart a better future for 🌱
📸Jay Hemrajani (jaydev.h)
14/12/2025
Global sustainability goals (like the SDGs) feel massive, but my work happens on a human scale. You know, that moment when you spark a conscious shift in a business owner, a student, or a friend? That's where the real, durable change is forged.
Impact starts with me influencing you, and you influencing the next person.
That is how we build a truly resilient, sustainable future.
13/12/2025
Gracias German por el reconocimiento 🙏
What started as a call "Hi Andy, I have a question regarding Sustainability on Curaçao." Grew into a collaboration and friendship with mutual admiration.
Congratulations German Gruber, family and team with your perseverance and success. And thank you for this honor!
The Ecoexpo Curacao Conference is taking place in SAMBIL Curacao between 12 and 14 of December. Entrance is free. And you will find many local organizations who are doing great things on the island like Korrrsou, Regulatory Authority of Curaçao, Dynaf Group, Ecofarm Curacao, Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao, Club17, my friends Limpi and many more!
📸 Jay H. Photography
25/11/2025
We are on a mission!
17 goals? In 12 episodes?
Discover the real stories behind Curaçao’s path to sustainability.
A small island filled with voices that tells our stories, our perspectives & our solutions through countless changemakers.
Join us on: “The State of The SDGs: Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao”.
24/11/2025
Join us on a mission to create a Documentary Series about for . Sharing local voices for global goals.
We are building bridges between global goals and local action. The problem? So much good work goes unseen or unconnected.
That’s why we are filming the documentary series: "The State of the SDGs; Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao"
Our Impact Formula: Visibility + Knowledge
We (The Recycled Pirate | Life Awareness & Innovations & Aisvarya Productions) are creating a visible, understandable roadmap for impact.
𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: We are connecting the dots on various levels, ensuring every organization's efforts count and are seen by the whole community.
𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲: We are providing tangible, actionable knowledge to schools, businesses, and NGOs on how to integrate the SDGs.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 👇
Many organizations contribute already, knowingly or unknowingly. We just make it visible and easy to understand!
Check out the amazing work happening:
• Dr. Albert Schweitzer Havo/Vwo ( )
• Green Phenix ( , , )
• Stichting Daily Meal Program ( , )
🤝 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
This effort is strengthened by the support of the SER (Social Economic Council of Curaçao) ( ) and Club17 Curaçao ( ). When we unite knowledge, media, and institutional support, we create an unstoppable force.
🔥 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺!
If you believe that making local impact visible is the key to a better Curaçao, we need you on board.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆: Hit subscribe on our YouTube channel to see these stories come to life: https://www.youtube.com/
𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿: We are seeking partners to support the remaining episodes. Don't just do good, show the world you do good.
DM me for the full proposal!
Let’s turn good intentions into quantifiable, visual impact.
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Our Story
Hi, I'm Andrew Kirchner, Andy for friends. I'm also known as The Recycled Pirate. Here’s why.
After a life altering accident that was supposed to leave me paralyzed, I found a new purpose in life. I quickly realized that if I wanted to walk again, I had to change my mindset as it relates to my emotional health and my self-expression.
Sitting in a wheelchair I had plenty of time to contemplate life and that’s when I desired to earn a spot on a TEDx stage. After four years of hard work I accomplished that dream in 2016 and I realized I had more to give to the world than working 4 years for 15 minutes of fame.
I had created a project in the previous years, 2nd Life Curaçao, to get me from a disability check (welfare) to become a small business owner. It even won me the JCI IOBA Aspiring Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015 and as my cycle from wheelchair to social entrepreneur completed, I understood that the message I was taught, wasn’t mine to keep.
I started coaching people that were dealing with life's difficulties and still felt I was playing small. It is easy listening to someone for me and give them advice on how to solve it, but I wanted to go deeper into the human programming and really understand why we feel sad, angry or jealous. This led me to meditation, mindfulness, yoga and alter my mindset completely. What I realized in this journey that everything I learned I already had in me. I just didn’t know…
It became my calling to plant as many seeds in as many people as possible and teach them that they are powerful beyond means. As I spoke in more classrooms and at large corporations, I would get personal questions and I understood that the message starts within us. People want to know their why. Their how. And their what. I decided to write those answers in daily quotes on Instagram and Facebook, but soon wanted them to become physical. We are touching our phones enough and how can I coach people without being there?
By creating recycled paper postcards and organic fair trade cotton t-shirt with quotes that came straight from my coaching and public speaking business.
If I can re-learn to walk, that means I can relearn how to think and now it my turn to help as many people as possible starting with you.
Welcome to The Recycled Pirate Website. Please stay a bit longer and see what I have to offer. Maybe you need coaching? Maybe you need a motivational speaker? Or maybe you need something to spark your day?
