Carnival parades, fetes, competitions and other parties are important to the economic growth of many islands in the Caribbean. Carnival is a cultural event that attracts hundreds of thousands of Caribbean natives and tourists from different countries each year. However, despite the positive economic and social benefits derived from Carnival, Caribbean islands that host such events are most at risk due to the unsustainable effects that Carnival production can have on a country. In this article, the work of Carnicycle will be explored, particularly the positive role of recycling carnival costumes on the economy through job creation and increased morale towards a sustainable society. 

Materials commonly used in costume production and their environmental impacts

Ostrich Feathers

A variety of feathers are used in the creation of carnival costumes including, but not limited to: Pheasant, peacock, goose, and ostrich feathers. The use of ostrich feathers in costumes has grown increasingly popular over the last decade. Ostrich feathers are commonly used in various parts of the costume such as the head piece, backpack (wings), and even arms and leg pieces. Ostrich feathers are primarily sourced from South Africa where over 70% of the world’s ostrich farming exist. Feathers are a by-product of Ostrich farming as the birds are harvested primarily for their meat and leather which are currently in high demand. We will focus on the carbon emissions associated with importing feathers into the Caribbean. 

Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are created through the farming, processing and transportation of ostrich feathers. Processing includes: “degreasing, intermedium, fading, blanching, whitening, dyeing” and drying the feathers. The ostrich feathers which originate in South Africa are sent to China to be processed inexpensively. The feathers are then sent to the USA where a licensed feathers retailer/wholesaler sells feathers to different Caribbean countries. Strict importation rules prevent many Carnival bands or craft stores from importing feathers directly from China. 
Gems/ Rhinestones Gems/ Rhinestones are typically made from plastic or acrylic resin. They are used to decorate the entire costume but the majority of these jewels can be found on the body of the costume (bras, bodysuits, panties). Most often the body of the costume is discarded, along with the plastic decor. The environmental impact of discarding the plastic material is associated with carbon emissions from importation and effects of the plastic jewelry in landfills or oceans. 

Reducing climate change with costume recycling

Circular Economy 

Creating a network of recycled materials used in costume production such as feathers, wireframing, and beads and gems can reduce the need to import material from foreign countries and thus reduce the carbon emissions associated with the act. Additionally, there is an added economic benefit, as items within the network will be provided at discounted prices.

Reducing Waste to Landfills 

Landfills that are improperly managed produce deleterious effects on the environment by polluting the air with methane gas, groundwater with toxic chemicals and displacing surrounding animals. Diagram 1 [Fig. 4] shows the amount of costume waste that is discarded by persons post Carnival. Recycling costumes instead of discarding them diverts waste away from landfills which will alleviate the negative effect of landfills on the environment. 

Additional benefits of a more sustainable carnival

Increase in Tourism 

Consumer demand for responsible travel is increasing. Every year, there have been a larger percentage of persons that not only travel to have fun but when travelling, they want to know that they are taking part in activities that maximizes the benefits to local communities and that it minimizes negative social or environmental impacts. Table 1 shows that 47% of global travelers were inspired by seeing the positive effect that sustainable tourism can have on locals. Making Carnival sustainable will target audiences that seek responsible travel therefore broadening our market of Carnival. 

Job Creation

Recycling costumes requires labor done to get costumes from the point of collection to a form in which it is ready to be donated or sold. The following outlines various forms of employment that must be utilized for every collection:

• Transportation of costumes to cleaning facility
• Collecting and breaking down costumes.
• Sanitation of costumes pieces

Also, Carnicycle operates in multiple countries and it is not feasible to execute our process at every Carnival. As a result, Brand Ambassadors representing different countries must be employed to organize logistics of costume recycling in their host country. With the addition of Brand Ambassadors we hope to encourage more local initiatives in the recycling program and reduce carbon emissions associated with primary members travelling to each country. 

Source: United Nations Environment Programme (2021). Compendium of case studies on solid waste management.