From the vibrant parades of Trinidad’s carnival, an emerging focus on sustainability is reshaping this much-loved event. Known as “the greatest show on Earth”, this year’s festivities are under scrutiny due to their estimated production of 3.4 tonnes of waste annually, according to local group Carnicycle. Co-founded by Danii McLetchie in 2018, Carnicycle aims to mitigate the environmental effects associated with the carnival. Danii highlights that although carnival is an integral part of Trinidad’s culture, it significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, especially with the production of lavish costumes.
The sheer scale of costume creation is alarming; for instance, just one costume bra can emit around 37.68kg (83lb) of CO2, as calculated by Carnicycle using tools from Swedish tech firm Doconomy. Carnicycle is in the process of verifying these figures but is committed to raising awareness about the environmental footprint of the festivities.
To combat waste, Carnicycle has implemented a recycling initiative, collecting costumes that would otherwise be discarded. By placing bins at hotels and public venues, they make it easier for individuals to donate unwanted costume materials, and last year, they managed to gather about 10,000 pieces. These salvaged items are sold to costume makers and individuals who appreciate second-hand goods. Additionally, to address the hassle and cost of the larger costume accessories, the organization has started renting out heavy backpack pieces so that masqueraders can enjoy the carnival without the burden.
Danii and her co-founder Luke Harris dedicate their time beyond their full-time careers to keep the carnival eco-friendly. Meanwhile, lawyer Aliyah Clarke and fashion designer Kaleen Sanois are also making a mark with their thrift venture 2nd Closet, focused on buying and selling pre-owned clothing. The duo now creates video tutorials to demonstrate how to repurpose carnival costumes into year-round outfits, while also offering a closet sorting service for their local customers. Their success was highlighted when they were asked to curate a pop-up shop for Soca star Machel Montano, turning his old performance clothes into sought-after treasures for fans.
The sustainability movement is not confined to costumes. An event called Fete with the Saints also sets a sustainable standard by using biodegradable utensils and reusable drink containers. They have employed “bin detectives” to ensure proper waste disposal, leading to a significant increase in recyclables captured this year. Co-founder Vandana Mangroo reports that they’ve kept over a million single-use plastics from landfills, successfully promoting environmental responsibility.
Joseph Hadad from Fete with the Saints is supportive of these green initiatives, which he sees as beneficial despite the added costs and workload. He insists the spirit of the carnival remains vibrant, a sentiment echoed by attendees like Roland Riley, who praises the positive impact of the sustainability efforts.
