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Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas

 

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago

Project Background

The Trinidad and Tobago's economy is primarily driven by the energy sector, with large exports of oil, gas and downstream energy products which in 2007 represented 66% of the country’s export revenue. Its Gross Domestic Product is highly dependent on oil prices. Even though the manufacturing industry has benefited from the availability of cheap fuel and power, the sector did not experience any outstanding growth in the past years according to its contribution to the National GDP.

In order to address this issue the non-energy related sectors have been prioritized by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for further economic diversification and strategic development. Within the manufacturing sector the Printing and Packaging and the Food and Beverages are identified as the sub-sectors with the greatest potential for further growth and that warrant the Government’s attention and assistance from the CLCPA Program for their sustainable development.

Based on available data, more than 1,300 tons of waste reaches the landfill sites of Trinidad and Tobago every day. The Styrofoam among other materials is the most common type of material disposed of by the residential and industrial sectors. Therefore, on August 30th 2013 the Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, accepted the invitation for his Ministry’s formal participation in the CLCPA Program and made a request to focus on ‘Finding a sustainable alternative packaging to replace the Styrofoam containers produced within the Printing and Packaging Industry of Trinidad and Tobago’.

The Executive Director of the Economic Development Board is appointed as the national authority for Trinidad and Tobago in charge of endorsing, authorizing and guiding the implementation of activities in the production sector of Trinidad and Tobago.

Project Description

PHASE I: Preparation and identification of needs

This phase involves an analysis of the industrial sector of the country and an agreement between the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development of the Organization of American State for the implementation of the Closed Looped Cycle Production Program in Trinidad and Tobago.

PHASE II: Policy Framework

Within this phase a review is performed about all the policies that are in place in Trinidad and Tobago that are relevant for the project. This includes analysis of the current Green Enterprise Development Policy of the country, study cases of the ban of Styrofoam in other Caribbean countries and export opportunities and regulations about packaging containers.

PHASE III: Project Feasibility Assessment

This phase is focused on (1) providing an objective comparative analysis between the life cycle impacts of Styrofoam containers versus the potential locally produced Biodegradable and Compostable food packaging, and (2) presenting a plan or white paper to trigger high-level discussion regarding the possible transition toward the increased use of compostable and sustainable packaging in Trinidad and Tobago. The study covers three main lines of attention: Feedstock analysis, Technology analysis, and Market analysis.

Related Documents and Links

Project Description Video available at http://vimeo.com/115020345

Project Profile (ENG)

Project Profile (ESP)

Principle Counterpart

Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development of Trinidad and Tobago