“WOMEN IN CIRCULARITY”: DRIVING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND EMPOWERING WOMEN

“Women in Circularity” helps expand recycling infrastructure and supports female waste workers in emerging economies. By combining social and environmental action, this initiative aims to strengthen the circular economy and champion a more inclusive society.

SUPPORTING CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS ACROSS TWO PHASES

To ensure measurable, long-term impact, “Women in Circularity” follows a two-phase approach:

  • Phase 1 began in 2023, supporting four social recycling enterprises in Argentina, Ghana, India, and Kenya. These projects are now self-sustained and scaling up to reach their full operational capacity.
  • Phase 2 will be implemented throughout 2025 and 2026 with four new organizations in Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, and Philippines, building on lessons learned from the first phase.

In total, once fully scaled up, the program aims to support more than 1,600 female waste workers and help recycle over 15,000 tons of additional plastic waste annually.

SEE WOMEN IN CIRCULARITY IN ACTION

TURNING WASTE INTO OPPORTUNITY

Funded with €8 million and operated in partnership with Haus des Stiftens for Phase 1 and Maecenata Stiftung for Phase 2, “Women in Circularity” supports eight selected local recycling organizations: Delterra (Argentina), Recycle Up! Ghana (Ghana), Green Worms (India), TakaTaka Solutions (Kenya), Sinba (Peru), Re-Purpose (South Africa), Sustainindo (Indonesia), and The Plastic Flamingo (Philippines).

These social businesses expand plastic recycling infrastructure and offer women in the waste management sector income opportunities, access to training, health and safety measures, and basic healthcare services.

Through education campaigns, the projects also help raise awareness around waste recycling in local communities, essential for building circular systems that last.

  • Three women in gray work clothes and hats stand together in a triangle on a sidewalk in front of a building. Each of the women is carrying a black, closed, waist-high garbage can, which has a kind of holder on the side with wooden handles sticking out of it. The picture suggests that the women are doing cleaning work on this street.

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    Delterra in Argentina

  • A person wearing gloves is sorting waste, including plastic bottles, cardboard, and packaging materials, on a table. The scene takes place indoors, where waste is being sorted for recycling or disposal.

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    Delterra in Argentina

  • An Argentinian worker in protective clothing holds two large garbage bags in a warehouse in Argentina, surrounded by other collected waste. The scene takes place in an interior room where waste is sorted for recycling or disposal.

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    Delterra in Argentina

  • A Indian woman in a recycling facility in India stands next to an orange hand pallet truck. In the background, large bales of compressed recycled materials are visible. The scene takes place indoors, where waste is being sorted for recycling or disposal.

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    Green Worms in India

  • Workers sorting waste materials at a recycling plant in India. The workers are wearing protective clothing, including gloves and headgear. Various types of waste materials, including plastic and paper, can be seen on a long table. Next to the workers are baskets, presumably for sorting various recyclable materials. The recycling plant has a high ceiling with visible beams and lighting fixtures. A banner or sign with the text "GREEN WASTE WORKS" can be seen at the top left of the picture.

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    Green Worms in India

  • A group of dark-skinned women in colorful traditional dresses sitting on chairs outdoors. One person is holding a microphone, suggesting an event or meeting where people might be speaking or performing.

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    Recycle Up! Ghana in Ghana

  • The image depicts four women with dark skin tones wearing orange work suits and bright hairnets. They are standing together in a hall or industrial setting, with large bags of collected materials visible in the background.

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    TakaTaka Solutions in Kenya

  • A group of workers in orange overalls and caps sorting waste at a recycling plant in Kenya. Under a corrugated iron roof supported by wooden beams, they are busy separating different types of waste materials on a long table. Plastic and organic materials are visible on the table.

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    TakaTaka Solutions in Kenya

    BEIERSDORF’S COMMITMENT TO CIRCULARITY AND AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

    Promoting a circular economy is a key pillar of Beiersdorf’s CARE BEYOND SKIN Sustainability Agenda. In addition to rethinking formulas and packaging, the company supports circular solutions beyond its value chain, especially in regions where infrastructure is limited. Through the empowerment of women in the waste management sector, the initiative also contributes to Beiersdorf’s social commitment “For an Inclusive Society”.

    “Women in Circularity” is part of Beiersdorf’s COVID-19 aid program and supports progress toward six of the UN’s 17 sustainabilitygoals.       

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