What SWMCOL does

SWMCOL (The Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited) is a state-owned enterprise, wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, that operates the national solid waste management and recycling infrastructure. Established in 1980 and headquartered at 34 Independence Square North, Port of Spain, with a secondary office in Canaan, Tobago, the company manages landfill operations across five sites including Beetham, Forres Park, and Guanapo, and is pursuing a Certificate of Environmental Clearance for an additional 75-hectare Municipal Waste Disposal Facility at Forres Park, Claxton Bay.

The company's service portfolio spans three interconnected lines: (1) core landfill management and special waste disposal for municipal solid waste generated across Trinidad and Tobago (approximately 700,000 tonnes annually, with the average citizen producing 1.5 kg per day); (2) commercial services including general waste collection, vacuum tanker operations, portable sanitation, and commercial/industrial wastewater services delivered through quotation-based engagements; and (3) recycling programmes encompassing the Municipal Curbside Recycling Programme (MCRP) for household beverage containers, the Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Programme (WRAP) for private-sector participants, and the Public Sector Recycling Programme (PSRP), plus a Recycling Depot and iCare Bins drop-off network. SWMCOL has additionally piloted organic waste curbside collection and community composting in two municipalities via IDB-funded Technical Cooperation (US$250,000, approved December 2022), and operates an education and outreach ecosystem (Litterbug Charlie mascot, Earth Defenders youth programme, Community & Youth Outreach Programme, Island Eco-Trip board game, Folio & Friends activity book, Research & Information Centre, and the Future Proof Conference).

Revenue is derived from government funding and municipal service contracts combined with transaction-fee commercial services and material sales (e.g., glass resold to Carib Glassworks, PET flakes to local manufacturers). Pricing is quotation-based rather than publicly tiered. Distribution is primarily direct: government-to-government with municipal corporations (San Fernando, Tunapuna/Piarco, and others in phased partnership), direct commercial service contracts with enterprises, and physical drop-off points for residential recyclers. The company engages in regulatory pursuit via the EMA, IDB, Ecoengineering Consultants, and CNIRD to extend its operational mandate and convene the national waste-management ecosystem.

Name

SWMCOL

Legal name

The Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited

Website

https://[email protected]

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SWMCOL is the Trinidad and Tobago state-owned solid waste management company, wholly owned by the national government. It operates landfill infrastructure, commercial waste services, and recycling programmes (MCRP, WRAP, PSRP) while serving municipalities, businesses, and residential citizens across both islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solid Waste Management Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Waste Management and Remediation Services (562), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal Solid Waste Collection (Residential/Commercial) (IMAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal Contract Collection & Franchise Operations (BPALAAAH), Inert / Monofill Disposal (Ash, Sludge, C&D Fines, Contaminated Soils) (EUAIACAE), Hazardous Waste Storage & TSDF Operations (Permitted Storage, Container/Yard Management) (BPALAFAE), Waste Management & Hazardous Waste Compliance (RCRA, Universal Waste, Waste Characterization/Manifests) (EUAHABAC)

Keywords

• Solid waste management
• Landfill operations
• Recycling programs
• Commercial waste collection
• Environmental education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Port of Spain

HQ country

Trinidad & Tobago

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded Waste Management Services: SWMCOL operates as a state-owned enterprise providing solid waste management services to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Revenue is derived from government funding and municipal service contracts.
2. Commercial Waste Collection Services: Fee-based commercial services including general waste collection, vacuum tanker services, special waste disposal, portable sanitation, and commercial/industrial wastewater services provided to businesses and organizations.
3. Recycling Operations: Processing and export of recyclable materials including PET flakes, glass, aluminium cans, and tetra-pak containers. Some PET flakes are sold to local companies for production of new products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SWMCOL is a state-owned solid waste management utility that operates engineered landfills, provides commercial waste collection and disposal services, and runs national recycling and environmental education programmes across Trinidad and Tobago. Its core offerings include landfill management (Beetham, Forres Park, Guanapo), general and special waste collection, vacuum tanker and portable sanitation services, curbside and workplace recycling programmes, and a community-focused environmental education platform.

Product overview

SWMCOL (The Trinidad & Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited) is a state-owned enterprise providing comprehensive solid waste management services. The organization's portfolio includes landfill management at three sites (Beetham, Forres Park, Guanapo), commercial waste collection services (General Waste Collection, Vacuum Tanker Services, Portable Sanitation Services), and recycling programmes. The recycling services include the Municipal Curbside Recycling Programme (MCRP) for household beverage container collection, the Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Programme (WRAP) for the private sector, a Recycling Depot, and iCare collection bins. Education and outreach products include the Litterbug Charlie mascot programme, Earth Defenders youth programme, Community & Youth Outreach services, Research & Information Centre, and educational tools like the Island Eco-Trip Board Game and Folio & Friends activity book. SWMCOL also conducts Environmental Impact Assessments for landfill projects and hosts the annual Future Proof Conference on eco-innovation for sustainable waste management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Get into Green: SWMCOL's corporate identity theme and call to action intended to touch and transform thoughts, attitudes and behaviours in individuals, communities, businesses and cities as they transition to a greener, more sustainable Trinidad and Tobago.

Products and services

• Solid Waste Management and Landfill Operations Core solid waste management service operating three engineered landfills (Beetham, Forres Park, Guanapo) plus landfill management and special waste disposal services across Trinidad and Tobago.
• General Waste Collection Scheduled commercial waste pickup service for business organizations requiring routine general waste removal.
• Vacuum Tanker Services Specialized vacuum tanker service for liquid waste removal and transport for commercial and industrial customers.
• Special Waste Disposal Disposal service for special and hazardous waste streams from commercial and industrial clients, governed by application form approval.
• Portable Sanitation Services Rental and servicing of portable sanitation units for events, worksites, and commercial facilities.
• Commercial & Industrial Waste Water Services Treatment and management of commercial and industrial wastewater streams.
• Municipal Curbside Recycling Programme (MCRP) Door-to-door curbside collection of post-consumer beverage containers (glass bottles, plastic bottles, aluminium cans, tetra-pak cartons) from households in participating municipalities.
• Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Programme (WRAP) Workplace recycling programme for the private sector targeting office waste paper and post-consumer beverage containers, with participants including commercial banks, retail chains, and shipping companies.
• Public Sector Recycling Programme (PSRP) Recycling programme for public sector organizations to capture recyclable office waste and post-consumer beverage containers.
• Recycling Depot and Beverage Container Recycling Facility Drop-off location for post-consumer beverage containers (plastic bottles, aluminium cans, glass bottles, tetra-pak cartons) located opposite Central Market in Port of Spain, plus a processing facility for recovered materials.
• iCare Recyclable Collection Bins Network of recyclable solid waste collection bins located across Trinidad and Tobago for convenient public drop-off of recyclable materials.
• Organic Waste Curbside Collection and Composting Pilot Pilot programme for separate curbside collection and composting of household organic waste in San Fernando City Corporation and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, including community composting training.
• Litterbug Charlie Environmental Education Programme Environmental education programme using the Litterbug Charlie mascot and animated content to teach children about waste management, recycling, and environmental protection.
• Earth Defenders Youth Education Programme Youth outreach programme encouraging young people to become environmental leaders, with printables, videos, and games available on the SWMCOL website.
• Community & Youth Outreach Programme (CYOP) Requestable educational outreach service delivering school sessions (in-person and virtual), recycling programmes at business organizations, public exhibitions, and beach and community clean-ups.
• Island Eco-Trip Educational Board Game Educational board game launched in 2016 that teaches environmental care lessons in a fun format for children of all ages.
• Folio & Friends Eco-Activity and Colouring Book Activity and colouring book introducing cartoon eco-heroes who counteract the actions of Litterbug Charlie, geared towards children aged 5 to 12 and distributed in primary schools.
• Research & Information Centre Resource centre providing educational materials on waste management and recycling, including Know Waste degradation time data for 25+ waste types, available to management, staff, students, and the public.
• Environmental Impact Assessment Services Environmental Impact Assessment services for proposed waste facility development, including community sensitization and public consultation activities, supporting regulatory clearance from the Environmental Management Authority.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700,000 tonnes of waste managed annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ecoengineering Consultants LimitedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2024Engaged by SWMCOL to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Municipal Waste Disposal Facility at Forres Park. EIA conducted over 13 months commencing March 2024.
• Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2022CNIRD coordinates the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Trinidad and Tobago National Planning Committee. SWMCOL has been a member of ICC-T&T NPC since its first staging, participating in annual beach clean-up events.
• Unite Caribbean Development AdvisorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIDB engaged consulting firm to support the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to undertake activities of the MCRP Organic Waste pilot, including pilot design, implementation, and institutional/financial sustainability study.
• San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as implementing municipality for MCRP Organic Waste pilot. Targeted communities include Old Pleasantville, Les Efforts East and West, and Olera Heights. Collection activities conducted from December 17th, 2024 to April 29th, 2025.
• Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as implementing municipality for MCRP Organic Waste pilot. Targeted communities include Greenvale and Trestrail. Collection activities conducted from November 19th, 2024 to April 29th, 2025. Composting Training Programme conducted at Tunapuna Community Centre.
• Environmental Management Authority (EMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment regulatory authority to which SWMCOL submitted application for Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for the proposed municipal solid waste disposal facility. EMA determined EIA was required under CEC (Designated Activities) Order.
• CEPEP (Dead Animal Removal Team)minorOthersCEPEP manages the Dead Animal Removal Team (DART). CEPEP handles dead animal removal from roadways, distinct from SWMCOL's waste management services. Contact: Toll-Free 800-CPEP (2737) or 698-CPEP (2737).
• Carib GlassworksminorOthersGlass bottles collected through SWMCOL's recycling programme are resold to Carib Glassworks for processing into new products.
• Environmental Management Authority (iCare bins)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWMCOL partners with EMA's iCare - Recyclable Solid Waste Collection Project. iCare bins are located across the country for collection of recyclable materials including post-consumer beverage containers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Renewi plc: Renewi is a Western European waste-to-product company operating municipal and commercial waste collection, recycling, and material recovery facilities. Comparable to SWMCOL's focus on resource recovery from MSW streams (PET, glass, aluminium, tetra-pak) and on converting waste streams into saleable secondary commodities.
• Casella Waste Systems: Casella Waste Systems is a vertically integrated solid waste, recycling, and resource management services provider in the Northeastern US serving residential, commercial, and municipal customers. Comparable to SWMCOL in operating curbside recycling programmes, commercial hauling, and landfill/transfer infrastructure under a regional/market-specific footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Biffa plc: Biffa is a UK-based integrated waste management business providing collection, recycling, and disposal services to municipal and commercial customers. Comparable to SWMCOL in offering recycling programmes (workplace and municipal curbside analogues), commercial waste contracts, and landfill/transfer operations.
• Republic Services: Republic Services is a major US solid waste and recycling services company providing collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal for municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Comparable to SWMCOL in serving municipal contracts with integrated recycling and landfill operations, though at vastly larger scale and as a private operator.
• Veolia Environmental Services: Veolia is a global environmental services operator with municipal and commercial solid waste, recycling, and wastewater services across multiple continents. Comparable to SWMCOL in offering integrated solid waste plus commercial/industrial wastewater services to municipal and industrial clients, with a similarly diversified revenue model.
• Waste Management Inc. Waste Management Inc. is the largest North American solid waste hauler and landfill operator, providing municipal solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal services. While SWMCOL is a national state-owned operator and WM is a publicly-traded global incumbent, both share the same core model of integrated MSW collection, recycling, and landfill management for municipal and commercial customers.
• FCC Environment (FCC Group): FCC Environment operates municipal and commercial waste collection, recycling, and treatment/disposal services primarily in Europe and select international markets. Comparable to SWMCOL's mix of municipal curbside collection (MCRP analogue), commercial waste services, and landfill/transfer station operations under a single integrated operator.

Emerging players

• Stericycle, Inc. Stericycle provides specialised waste management services including regulated and specialty waste disposal for commercial and healthcare customers. Comparable to SWMCOL's "Special Waste Disposal" commercial service line and vacuum tanker/liquid waste handling for regulated industrial waste streams.
• Clean Harbors, Inc. Clean Harbors is a North American provider of environmental and industrial services including hazardous waste management, emergency response, and industrial cleaning. Comparable to SWMCOL's hazardous/special waste disposal and commercial vacuum tanker service offerings for industrial and commercial customers.

Regional players

• National Solid Waste Management Authority (Jamaica): The NSWMA is Jamaica's statutory state-owned solid waste management agency providing collection, disposal, and recycling services nationally. A direct regional/state-owned peer to SWMCOL: comparable mandate, similar Caribbean regulatory environment, and identical model of integrated municipal waste management under a government-owned utility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SWMCOL
• Facebookfacebook.com/swmcoltt
• Instagraminstagram.com/swmcol_tt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swmcol

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SWMCOL