By Priyanka Lalla, UNICEF Youth Advocate and Child Rights Ambassador
Plastic pollution in Trinidad and Tobago could easily be described as a national crisis, both for the environment and child rights. As do other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Trinidad and Tobago face unique vulnerabilities, which exacerbate climate change impacts.
After hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Leeward Islands, I felt compelled to act to ensure that such a disaster would not affect my country.
The plastic pollution that washed up on the islands was alarming, threatening the biodiversity of coastal waters and mangroves. While some young people I spoke to felt that a transition away from plastic, wasteful habits and landfills could not be achieved, I refused to give up.
Ultimately, it is not about reinventing the wheel or uprooting your life to become the perfect environmentalist. It is about being conscious of your daily actions to realize the choice between plastic and sustainability – and to choose sustainability when possible.
Priyanka Lalla, 18, Trinidad and Tobago
I saw the way my grandparents lived: their homes and lives were plastic-free, healthy and ultimately sustainable. I knew that if I wanted to see change, I could not only ask others to change their habits — I needed to lead by example.
I created the Zero Waste LunchKit initiative at my school where I encouraged students to pack a LunchKit with no plastic. Instead of processed foods packaged in plastic bags or disposable cutlery, students were encouraged to pack homemade healthier food in reusable containers, with only sustainable lunch kit accessories such as cutlery and water bottles.
The purpose of this initiative was to reduce plastic waste in the school community and hopefully share the initiative region-wide to show the impact of simple, individual action. If every Caribbean student packed a Zero Waste LunchKit, the impact would be great.
Ultimately, it is not about reinventing the wheel or uprooting your life to become the perfect environmentalist. It is about being conscious of your daily actions to realize the choice between plastic and sustainability – and to choose sustainability when possible.
By confronting the plastic challenge head-on, Trinidad and Tobago can protect its citizens and preserve its natural heritage, fostering a more sustainable future amidst the realities of climate change.
The crisis disproportionately affects marginalized populations, highlighting inequalities in environmental governance and access to sustainable practices. This will require a multifaceted approach that encompasses stricter regulations on plastic production, enhanced waste management practices and community education. Intergenerational collaboration is needed to mobilize our youth for a more sustainable, plastics-free and circular future.
