Republic Bank is proud to have played a key role in the official launch of the Greening the Market — St George’s Market Composting Pilot Project, held on 29 September at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
The project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, supporting community resilience and fostering climate-smart practices in Grenada.
The bank, recognising the project’s potential to significantly reduce organic waste and convert it into valuable compost to benefit local agriculture, was keen to partner with the chief coordinator, GrenadaGrows and other stakeholders. This initiative, while operationally focused on the St George’s market and its vendors, represents something far more impactful: A shift in mindset towards responsible consumption and production, and the building of a climate-resilient Grenada.
Speaking at the launch of the pilot programme, Mavis Mc Burnie, General Manager Operations at Republic Bank noted: “This project is not just about bins and compost. It is about changing mindsets, empowering communities and building a Grenada that values its organic resources, protects its environment, and nurtures sustainable livelihoods.”
As a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, Republic Bank continues to align its operations with global sustainability targets. The St George’s Market Composting Pilot directly supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
“Your willingness to adapt, learn, and lead is what will ultimately determine the success and scalability of this model across the nation,” Mc Burnie further commented. “Together, we can build a future that is cleaner, greener, and more resilient — starting right at the heart of our local economy: the St. George’s Market.”
Republic Bank’s support for the project is provided through its longstanding social investment programme — The Power to Make A Difference, which, for over 2 decades, has contributed to meaningful community development under four core pillars:
- The Power to Care
- The Power to Help
- The Power to Learn
- The Power to Succeed
The bank also applauded the leadership of Dr Judlyn Telesford-Checkley and the GrenadaGrows team and other stakeholders for their scientific expertise and dedication to environmental sustainability. Their work, coupled with the active participation of market vendors and local farmers, forms the backbone of this innovative pilot.
Other partners and stakeholders attending the launch included: Peron Johnson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Climate Resilience, The Environment & Renewable Energy; Myrna Julien, Communications Manager, Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority; Felipe Poblete Rojas, Project Manager, Recycle Organics; Dr Gem Thomas-Barry, Country Representative, Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute and Thaddeus Peters, Chief Agricultural Officer, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Forestry, Blue Economy, Marine Resources and Cooperatives.
Through this initiative, Republic Bank reaffirms its commitment to projects that align with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and contribute to a more sustainable Grenada. The bank extends best wishes for the success of the pilot project, which runs for 6 months, and looks forward to continued collaboration in building a more sustainable and inclusive future for Grenada.
Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited
