05 Jun YB Spotlight Alicia Barrie
From Waste to Wonder: Mission to End Plastic Pollution in Style
As the world unites to celebrate World Environment Day 2025, with the theme “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” we shine the spotlight on a woman turning trash into treasure, Alicia Barrie, founder of Glastic Designs Interior Styles Ltd. and a proud alumna of Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT).
At the intersection of sustainability and creativity, Alicia is redefining how we think about waste, one recycled tile, clock, and eco-stool at a time.
A Vision Born from Passion and Purpose
Born out of a desire to protect the environment and create opportunity, Alicia launched her eco-social enterprise in 2022.
“I was inspired by my deep passion for protecting the environment and my desire to create a profitable opportunity for myself in a country where action toward sustainability is often overlooked,” she shared.
With a background in environmental science and geography, Alicia was uniquely equipped to see value in what others discarded. Through experimentation and self-taught techniques, she discovered how to transform plastic waste into functional and beautiful designs, launching Glastic Designs Interior Styles Ltd.
From Trash Collector to Trendsetter
Alicia isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and that’s part of what sets her apart. Her raw materials come directly from the problem she’s trying to solve.
"I wanted to address the growing issue of plastic waste in Trinidad and Tobago, while also promoting sustainable living."
In 2024 alone, Glastic Designs repurposed over 144 kilograms of plastic waste, with a goal of surpassing 1,000 kg in 2025. From heat-tested decorative tiles and upcycled stools to outdoor pavers and vertical garden panels, her products are both environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing.
Still, Alicia’s path was not without its challenges.
There were misconceptions about the durability and safety of recycled plastic products, such as fears that tiles might melt or be flammable, something we’ve since debunked through content and testing.
When Passion Meets Product
Alicia’s innovation isn’t just about material, it’s about messaging.
Sustainability can be stylish, accessible, and meaningful. Every purchase of an eco-friendly product is a vote for the planet.
Whether engaging schoolchildren in recycling competitions or showcasing her creations at corporate booths, Alicia is educating her community and igniting a new culture of green design. Her products have already found homes with corporate clients like Coca-Cola and government entities such as SWMCOL, signaling growing public trust and market demand.
Even her clients recognize the blend of purpose and quality in her work. As one customer put it:
Just wanted to tell you that I love the items and so did my husband. Keep up the beautiful work. All the best for the season. Thanks again. ~ Matching clock and coaster set buyer
From Support to Scaling: Her Journey with YBTT
Alicia’s evolution as a green entrepreneur is a powerful example of what intentional support can unlock. In 2023, she participated in two targeted programmes offered by Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT), the Waste Management Accelerator and the Social and Green Toolkit.
Through the Waste Management Accelerator, Alicia gained training and mentorship, which helped her sharpen her business focus and environmental messaging.
In the Social and Green Toolkit, she accessed customized tools, templates, and one-on-one mentorship that allowed her to apply practical strategies to strengthen her business operations and storytelling.
The programme gave me mentorship and strategic guidance, which helped me refine my brand messaging and navigate business development, she explained.
As YBTT celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Alicia is a proud reminder of the change that can be sparked when young visionaries are equipped with the right tools.
Looking Ahead: A Green Future for the Caribbean
Alicia’s long-term vision is both ambitious and rooted in purpose. She sees Glastic Designs Interior Styles becoming a regional leader in eco-luxury interior design, using creativity and innovation to divert tons of plastic waste while promoting conscious, sustainable living across the Caribbean.
But scaling a green business in the Caribbean comes with its challenges. For Alicia, systemic support is key to unlocking more success stories in the eco-entrepreneur space.
More funding opportunities, greater public-private partnerships, and widespread education to promote environmental businesses and green innovation.
Celebrating the Changemakers
This World Environment Day, we shine the spotlight on Alicia Barrie, a visionary entrepreneur turning plastic waste into purpose. From discarded materials to design-forward décor, Alicia is proving that sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s a lifestyle, a business model, and a form of advocacy.
Start small but dream big. Let your creativity and passion drive you, and don’t be discouraged by early hurdles. Education, persistence, and quality matter. ~ Alicia’s words of advice to other Green Entrepreneurs.
As Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago marks 25 years of impact, we celebrate changemakers like Alicia who remind us that when young people are supported, they don’t just build businesses, they build movements. Because with the right guidance and belief, you can be anything, even the solution to plastic pollution.