On Tuesday 19th November 2019, Carib Glassworks Limited-CGL and the Environmental Management Authority -EMA participated in a ceremonial tree planting to commence the quarry rehabilitation project of the Matura sand plant . This project is in collaboration with the EMA through its Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management-IWEco initiative.
In 2017, Carib Glassworks Limited was approached by the EMA as one of the private sector quarries, to include under the rehabilitation component of the Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management (IWEco) TT project.
Carib Glassworks Limited the only manufacturer of glass packaging in the Caribbean was the first privately managed quarry to partner with the EMA and GEF IWEco TT initiative, to establish a one-hectare demonstration rehabilitation site at its sand quarry in lower Matura. All the glass bottles produced at the factory use silica which has been mined from this quarry. CGL has been operating a sand mine and processing plant at Matura since 1972.
IWEco TT has worked with two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Trust for Sustainable Livelihoods and IAMovement in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme-Small Grants Programme to develop a quarry rehabilitation training program. Mainly unemployed women from communities of Valencia to Sangre Grande underwent several months of training focused on theoretical and practical quarry rehabilitation techniques.
The overall objective of IWEco is to reduce and reverse land degradation associated with quarry operations, at selected quarry site(s) in North East of Trinidad. The project aims to restore natural vegetation, reduce sedimentation and flood risk, and restore the ecological function of exhausted or abandoned quarry pits with engagements from the sectors.
In 2019, as part of Carib Glassworks’ continued commitment to the environment, which they have demonstrated for over 40 years as the leading recycler in the region; Carib Glassworks will be rehabilitating one hectare of its’ sand mine through a mix of interventions. These interventions will include specific plants for species enrichments, the use of the vetiver plant for soil and slope rehabilitation and the installation of live check dams. This is part one of CGL’s sand plant rehabilitation and in 2020 Carib Glassworks will be reforesting another one hectare of the Matura sand mine.
Corporate Communications Department
ANSA McAL Group of Companies
Wednesday 27th November 2019
868-223-2672