Wild Tobago

Anjani Ganase asks us to consider reducing waste and to give gifts that are meaningful and matter … to everyone involved, and to the planet. Christmas in our islands is seen as the occasion to spend with the loved ones ... and to spend. The commercial aspect of gift giving has overtaken the season with variety and extravagance, and with detrimental environmental impact as a result of waste production. Waste produced during Christmas fall largely into the categories of food waste, plastic and electronic pollution and an increased carbon footprint. Globally, plastic waste increases by 30% during the Christmas holidays owing to the plastic waste from product packaging, food wrappers, decorations and even gift wrapping.   It is the time when plastic cups, forks and plates may be preferred because no one wants to be bothered with the chore of dishes. Most of the plastic waste ends up in the landfills as opposed to recycling centres with a high portion of the plast...

Tobago's iconic locations are well-kept and tidy; cleaned overnight, ready for visitors every morning. But do you know where the trash goes? Do you think you can live so lightly that you generate no waste? Take the Zero Waste Challenge and find out how far you have to go to Zero. Like all challenges of this nature, it asks us to consider the process of approaching “zero waste.” We are led to consider consumption patterns, use, re-use and recovery of waste products.  Even if we don’t get to zero waste, perhaps we may re-consider the growing hills of garbage and come to regard them as resources for new industries. Recycled plastic is already being used to make shoes and bags; fabric and furniture, or construction and road building material. A few countries have turned to renewable sources of energy; and support industries that produce zero waste. Other communities are repairing and repurposing used items. Perhaps, this is an exercise that may be developed as a study for...