Is Trinidad Playing Catch-Up? Why Businesses Need to Pay Attention to Sustainability Before It’s Too Late

Let’s be real for a second: if the world were on fire tomorrow, most Trinidadians would still be saying, “Buh is Carnival next month, we jamin still.” And honestly? I can’t even blame people. Sustainability is one of those topics that hasn’t been pushed hard here. If you’ve barely heard about it, how are you supposed to care?

But while we might be laid-back on this island, the rest of the world isn’t waiting. Globally, sustainability has already moved from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.” Companies are redesigning operations, rethinking supply chains, and making public commitments to reduce their environmental and social impact. Not just to look good, but because customers (especially younger generations) are demanding it, governments are regulating it, and businesses that fail to adapt are being left behind.

The real question is: are we going to get ahead of this shift, or sit back until we get left behind?

The Trini Attitude Gap

Here’s the truth: the average Trini has not been sold on sustainability yet. It feels distant, like some “foreign ting.” You mention biodegradable packaging, and half the time people roll their eyes. We’re a culture where groceries double-bag your double-bags. 

Remember the Orchard biodegradable straws? The company was genuinely trying to do something good for the planet and boy, did they get roasted. The comments section was brutal. People were angry, not because they hated the planet, but because the straws felt flimsy, melted into juice, and ruined the customer experience.

And that’s the thing, implementing sustainability efforts without considering practicality or customer experience is a recipe for backlash. People want to “do good,” but not if it feels like a downgrade. People don’t want their straws dissolving halfway through their drinks. 

Still, we can’t ignore that the tide is slowly shifting. The younger generation is way more eco-conscious than their parents. Globally, Gen Z is voting with their wallets, choosing businesses that align with their values. It’s only a matter of time before that becomes the norm here. Here in T&T, you already see small signals: younger shoppers asking for less plastic, taking reusable bags, or calling out companies online for waste. It’s small now, but it’s growing.

Global Lessons, Local Signs

Let’s zoom out for a moment. Across the globe, sustainability has proven itself to be more than just an ethical checkbox; it’s also smart business.

Take Allbirds, for example. The shoe brand built its identity on renewable materials, carbon-neutral commitments, and radical transparency. The result? At its peak, the company was valued at US$4 billion. People weren’t just buying shoes; they were buying into a story.

Or look at Sephora. Through initiatives like Beauty (Re)Purposed and Planet Aware, the retailer is reshaping how the beauty industry approaches sustainability. Even Starbucks has made headlines, verifying over 9,000 stores for sustainable practices worldwide.

The pattern is clear: leading companies aren’t treating sustainability as an afterthought; they’re weaving it directly into their DNA.

And it’s not like we’re standing still here in Trinidad.

• Grocery stores like Massy Stores cut down on plastic bag usage.
• Food Hall uses fully reusable shopping bags.
• Carib Brewery invested in a state-of-the-art returnable bottling line.
• PriceSmart dropped US$3.7 million on a sustainable plant.
• National initiatives like iCare and Every Bottle Back are gaining traction.

The signs are right in front of us. Even locally, the biggest players know where the world is heading. The writing is on the wall.

More Than Just a Trend, It’s the Future

Sustainability is not just about “being nice to the environment.” It’s about long-term survival. Businesses that ignore this are playing a dangerous game. For small businesses, it’s quickly becoming the difference between staying relevant or fading out.

Here’s why it matters:

Builds customer trust. In a small market like Trinidad & Tobago, reputation is everything. Eco-conscious practices show you care, and customers notice, share, and remember. Sustainable products are no longer niche; they’re the new norm, especially for Gen Z and millennials who are willing to pay more for them.

Saves you money long-term. Cutting waste, reusing packaging, or conserving energy isn’t just good for the planet; it helps trim your operating costs too.

Keeps you competitive. As more businesses adopt sustainable practices, customers will expect it. Falling behind could make your brand look outdated. Both customers and employees increasingly want to align with purpose-driven companies, and globally, people are spending more on sustainable options.

Opens new opportunities. From eco-friendly partnerships to grant funding, being sustainable can unlock networks and resources you’d otherwise miss.

Why It Feels Overlooked in T&T

Here, profit is still king. And listen, nobody’s starting a business to lose money. That’s just facts. But when “profit first, everything else after” becomes the only motivator, we miss the bigger picture.

Think about it: global trends always trickle down here eventually. Whether it’s technology, fashion, or business practices, Trinidad tends to adopt things later. Online shopping, digital payments, even plant-based eating, all latecomers here, but now unavoidable.

Sustainability will be no different. And when it does fully land, businesses that already embraced it will be miles ahead. Those who ignored it will be scrambling to catch up.

Practical Ways to Start

Making sustainability a real part of business doesn’t always mean building solar farms or planting forests. It often starts with the small, visible choices customers notice every day. A café swapping out plastic cups for biodegradable ones. A retailer switching to biodegradable bags. Even a small manufacturer cutting down on excess packaging. These may look like “little moves,” but they tell customers: we see the problem, and we’re doing something about it.

If you’re a business owner, you don’t need to overhaul your entire operation overnight. Small steps add up. For example:

• Use eco-friendly packaging where possible.
• Source responsibly.
• Reduce waste in your operations.
• Educate your team and customers.
• Look at other business models for inspiration.

If you’re a consumer:

• Support businesses that are trying. Even if they’re not perfect, your purchase tells them their efforts matter.
• Remember: every purchase is a vote. Your dollar has power.

At Every Ingredient, I’ve made it a point to focus on sustainable packaging and sourcing responsibly. It might seem small, but it’s part of building a responsible brand that lasts.

Bigger Than Just Profits

At the end of the day, profits matter, but they shouldn’t be the only thing that matters. As entrepreneurs, we have the chance to create something bigger than ourselves. Something that makes an impact.

Sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet. It’s about building a business that’s future-proof, trusted, and respected.

So the question remains: is Trinidad going to treat sustainability as a burden, or as the opportunity that defines the next chapter of Trinidad and Tobago’s growth?

Diving Deeper: Resources & Reads

Here are the articles and resources referenced in this post for readers who want to dive deeper:

• Business Sustainability Strategies – Harvard Business School Online
• What is Sustainability and Its Implications for Companies – APIday
• PriceSmart’s $3.7M Plant for Sustainable Products – Newsday TT
• Sephora’s Multi-Pronged Sustainability Push – CosmeticsDesign
• Gen Z and Sustainability – ElfinView
• Starbucks Verifies Over 9,000 Stores for Sustainable Practices – Starbucks Stories
• Allbirds IPO and Sustainability – Forbes
• United Packaging Moves Towards Sustainability – Newsday TT
• Smart manufacturing line 7: Carib’s $200m investment – Newsday TT

Thanks for reading

I post every Wednesday and Sunday, sharing foodie finds and business insights. 

Want more? Subscribe for alerts, drop a comment, or let me know what you’d love to see next.

Enjoyed this? Check out my last post:
[Is Starting a New Business Actually Worth It Financially? Here’s the Truth]

• 25-Minute Honey Chipotle Burrito Bowl
• Thai Cashew Chicken – A Quick Gourmet Fix (Under 20 Minutes)
• Is Trinidad Playing Catch-Up? Why Businesses Need to Pay Attention to Sustainability Before It’s Too Late
• Is Starting a New Business Actually Worth It Financially? Here’s the Truth
• Honey Chipotle – Sweet, Smoky, and a Little Sassy