Introduction 

In the years following its independence from Great Britain in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago began to emerge as a major developing nation in the Caribbean.  However, this rapid development also exposed the absence of a structured mechanism of waste management. This was evidenced by the increasing number of open-burning dumps and by the ever-present garbage and derelict vehicles that littered the country from coast to coast.

In the interest of public health and safety, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago established the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) in November 1980. SWMCOL’s initial mandates to design and implement solid and hazardous waste management systems and structures, and to advise the local government providers on waste management, were subsequently expanded to include the construction and management of engineered landfills, the collection of industrial waste, the transportation and processing of faecal waste, and the processing of recyclable materials.

SWMCOL’s 40^th ANNIVERSARY

SWMCOL celebrated its milestone 40^th Anniversary on November 12^th, 2020 and marked the occasion with a digital review of some of its major accomplishments over the past four decades. The Company’s goals for the future include the transformation of the country’s traditional waste sector to more sustainable structures by the year 2030.

To view our anniversary video, please visit SWMCOL’s 40^th ANNIVERSARY

List of Key Achievements 

“Get into Green” is more than a call to action. It is both a precept and a promise.

The promise is that of a greener tomorrow for the benefit of all when we “Get into Green”.