On World Environment Day, the urgent issue of plastic pollution takes center stage

Published: Jun 02, 2023

In the spirit of World Environment Day, the world's attention turns to the critical issue of plastic pollution. Trinidad, like many other nations, faces the daunting challenge of managing plastic waste. Shockingly, the Global Change Data Lab reports that over 129,000 metric tonnes of plastic are imported into the country each year, with a mere 6,000 metric tonnes being exported. This leaves 123,000 metric tonnes to be discarded in landfills, contributing to land and water pollution.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Nutrien’s Trinidad Nitrogen facility has established a significant partnership with the local non-governmental organization (NGO), Flying Tree Environmental Management. This collaboration seeks to tackle plastic pollution head-on through innovative upcycling initiatives while reducing our overall environmental footprint.

Flying Tree Environmental Management is a highly esteemed local NGO known for its commitment to developing sustainable solutions for pressing environmental challenges. With a state-of-the-art factory that specializes in producing high-quality plastic lumber and other upcycled materials, the organization exemplifies the transformation of plastic waste into stunning and functional products. Their groundbreaking work showcases their ability to convert plastic waste into benches, plant pots, pavers and even small buildings, all constructed from plastic lumber. It is this inspiring initiative that caught the attention of Nutrien’s Trinidad Nitrogen facility, prompting them to seek a partnership and explore opportunities to significantly reduce the organization’s plastic waste while supporting the creation of a circular economy.

"We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration with Flying Tree Environmental Management," says Lianne Moy Hing, Environmental Coordinator, Trinidad. "Witnessing the impactful work they are doing in communities, transforming plastic waste into practical and beautiful upcycled products, left an indelible impression on us. We realized that this was a remarkable opportunity to join forces and actively contribute to mitigating the plastic pollution crisis while reducing our own environmental footprint."

The immediate goal of this collaboration was to establish a small park area, using upcycled materials, in time for World Environment Day. This green oasis will provide employees with a serene environment to take mental health breaks or enjoy lunch under the shade of trees. Additionally, a practical demonstration will take place on World Environment Day, showcasing the process of shredding and combining plastic waste with other materials to create stunning upcycled products and an awareness seminar will be conducted to educate Nutrien’s workers on the importance and benefits of reducing plastic waste in the environment.

"The partnership with Nutrien means a new opportunity for developing and achieving our mandates as an environmental NGO,” says Juan Andrade, Director, Flying Tree Environmental Management. “We have a great opportunity to educate Nutrien about its responsibility, from an industrial point of view, and can demonstrate the positive and negative impact on nature relative to the emissions produced during the production process.”

Looking to the future, Nutrien’s Trinidad Nitrogen facility and Flying Tree Environmental Management aspire to sustain their collaborative efforts, continually working together to minimize the amount of plastic waste destined for landfills. This symbiotic relationship enables Nutrien’s facility to donate plastic waste to Flying Tree Environmental Management, thereby reducing its production costs as the organization leverages this valuable raw material.

“With this strategic partnership, our facility emphasizes its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship,” says Erik Vettergren, Managing Director, Trinidad. “This collaboration highlights the power of upcycling and serves as a call to action for a more sustainable future.”

Visit Nutrien’s Environment and Sustainability strategy pages for more information.