Trinidad Carnival is Going Green Thanks to Local Eco-Warriors

Trinidad’s world-famous carnival is a spectacle of dazzling costumes, infectious music, and non-stop partying. But behind the glitz and glam, the celebrations generate an estimated 3.4 tonnes of waste every year, according to Carnicycle, a sustainability initiative working to reduce the festival’s environmental impact.

Founded in 2018 by Danii McLetchie and Luke Harris, Carnicycle is tackling the environmental cost of carnival head-on. The team collects discarded costumes—many of which would otherwise end up in landfills or be burned—and salvages reusable materials like feathers, beads, and sequins. In just a few years, they have recovered around 10,000 pieces, giving them new life in costume design, burlesque, and even rave fashion.

The carbon footprint of carnival costumes is staggering. According to the BBC producing and transporting a single costume bra can generate nearly 38kg of CO2 emissions. With tens of thousands of masqueraders each year, the environmental toll quickly adds up. To combat this, Carnicycle has also started renting out large, elaborate backpack pieces—a major feature of carnival attire—so that revelers can enjoy the full experience without the waste or the hefty price tag.

Other eco-conscious entrepreneurs are also making a difference. Lawyer Aliyah Clarke and fashion designer Kaleen Sanois launched 2nd Closet, a pop-up thrift store that encourages carnival-goers to repurpose their costumes into stylish outfits for other occasions. Their closet-sorting service helps customers declutter and give old garments a second life, even earning the trust of soca superstar Machel Montano, whose iconic wardrobe was resold in their store.

Even carnival parties are going green. At Fete with the Saints, single-use plastics are being replaced with biodegradable utensils and reusable cups. Recycling efforts have skyrocketed thanks to “bin detectives” ensuring that waste is properly sorted, preventing over one million single-use plastics from entering landfills in just three years.

Trinidad’s carnival is proving that sustainability and celebration can go hand in hand. So, next time you suit up for a festival, think twice before tossing that costume—reuse, recycle, and revel responsibly!

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