The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has successfully completed and handed over the Waste Management Plan Report for the La Brea Industrial Estate and the Port of Brighton, to La Brea Industrial Development Company Limited (LABIDCO).

This document is the result of ten months of research conducted by an all-female UTT team, headed by Dr Ejae John - Associate Professor, Process Engineering, which included Dr Solange Kelly - Associate Professor, Utilities and Sustainable Engineering and Assistant Vice President, Undergraduate Studies, Dr Marian Watson - Associate Professor, Process Engineering, Dr Samantha Chadee - Assistant Professor, Centre for Maritime and Ocean Studies, and Suzette Balkaran - Senior Instructor, Engineering (Maritime Studies).

Based on continuous assessment of LABIDCO's waste matter, the report details a strategic approach to treating generated waste in a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner. Once implemented, the recommendations will reduce LABIDCO's waste by 10,000 tonnes annually, highlighting the importance of this project and its impact on LABIDCO's day-to-day operations. Dr John also detailed the potential for far-reaching benefits, adding "To unlock its true potential, we need to view waste as a resource.", a concept which supports the University's mission of sustainable development through research.

UTT continues to show its commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago with initiatives such as these, and commends LABIDCO for its cooperation in this venture.

UTT's Research Team (l-r) Suzette Balkaran - Senior Instructor, Engineering (Maritime Studies), Dr Samantha Chadee - Assistant Professor, Centre for Maritime and Ocean Studies Dr Ejae John - Associate Professor, Process Engineering, Dr Marian Watson - Associate Professor, Process Engineering, and Dr Solange Kelly - Associate Professor, Utilities and Sustainable Engineering and Assistant Vice President, Undergraduate Studies, flanked by Professor Donnie Boodlal - Deputy Chairman, LABIDCO and Dr Vernon Paltoo, General Manager, LABIDCO.