Sustainable Carnival: Trinidad's Eco-Friendly Revolution

Carnival enthusiasts are joining forces to reduce waste and promote sustainability during Trinidad's vibrant celebrations, showcasing how community action can drive eco-friendly practices forward.

From its electrifying costumes to energetic parades, Trinidad’s carnival is often referred to as "the greatest show on Earth." However, the event produces an alarming 3.4 tonnes of waste each year, a fact highlighted by Carnicycle, a local initiative aiming to enhance sustainability in these festivities. Co-founder Danii McLetchie emphasizes the cultural significance of carnival but also highlights the negative environmental impact stemming from the materials used in costumes and the overall events.

Carnicycle estimates that producing and transporting a single bra piece of a carnival costume generates around 37.68kg (83lb) of CO2 emissions. McLetchie, alongside her team, is working towards a third-party verification of this estimate, as they recognize the lengthy environmental footprint of the thousands of masqueraders participating each year. To counter this issue, Carnicycle has initiated a recycling program, collecting discarded costumes that would otherwise end up in landfills or be burned. They set up collection bins at various hotels and venues to capture unused materials.

As of last year, Carnicycle has salvaged around 10,000 pieces of costume materials, redistributing feathers, beads, and other components for future use. These materials are sold to costume designers, revellers, and even those in the burlesque industry at affordable rates. They also rent out heavy backpack pieces, appealing to those who wish to minimize the burden while still looking good for photos.

In addition to Carnicycle's efforts, other Trinidadians are stepping up to foster eco-friendliness during carnival. Lawyer Aliyah Clarke and fashion designer Kaleen Sanois co-founded 2nd Closet, a pop-up thrift shop dedicated to encouraging the sale and purchase of pre-owned clothing. They also create video tutorials on transforming costumes into fashionable outfits for different occasions. Recently, their business gained significant attention when they were asked to sort through the expansive closet of renowned musician Machel Montano, known for his deep connection to Trinidad carnival.

Moreover, events like "Fete with the Saints" are making strides toward becoming greener. They utilize biodegradable utensils, reusable cups, and employ "bin detectives" to oversee proper recycling practices. Close the Loop Caribbean, working with the event organizers, reports a significant increase in recycling efforts, having prevented more than a million single-use plastics from entering landfills in just three years.

Organizers like Joseph Hadad affirm that, even with added costs and effort, the goal of promoting a sustainable carnival has been successfully embraced without dampening the festivity's spirit. This collective dedication to greener practices from both initiative leaders and event organizers has garnered positive responses from patrons, who see these changes as a commendable step forward towards an eco-friendly celebration.