New Delhi, November 7, 2023: Beiersdorf is reinforcing its CARE BEYOND SKIN Sustainability Agenda with the launch of "Women in Circularity," a comprehensive initiative aimed at providing substantial funding to plastic waste recycling organizations that prioritize social business approaches. The initiative has two critical objectives: expanding the recycling infrastructure of plastic waste management organizations in emerging economies and providing training and development opportunities for waste collectors, a majority of whom are women. "Women in Circularity" is poised to create a significant environmental impact while fostering a more inclusive society.
The initiative involves the selection of organizations in regions most affected by the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a rigorous validation process, four organizations were chosen: Green Worms in India, Delterra in Argentina, Recycle Up! Ghana in Ghana, and TakaTaka Solutions in Kenya. This initiative entails a donation of 4 million Euros and is part of Beiersdorf's COVID-19 Aid Program. Collaborating with public authorities and local and international organizations, Beiersdorf aims to mitigate the pandemic's aftermath while providing income and development opportunities for more than 1,600 women in the waste management sector.
With just 3% of household plastic waste being collected and recycled in Kerala (World Bank Report, 2021), the "Women in Circularity" initiative addresses the dual challenge of plastic pollution and poverty. Green Worms, a local waste management association in Kerala, will establish a Material Recovery Facility in Malappuram District by December 2023 and implement a Plastic-waste Recycling Plant in the Kannur District by February 2024, both located in rural Kerala. This ambitious project is set to provide jobs in waste management to over 500 women from 20 villages. It will also lead to the recovery of 6,000 metric tons of plastic, with 2,760 metric tons being recycled annually. Beyond the environmental impact, "Women in Circularity" will enhance the social status of women in the region by offering workshops, scholarships, menstrual hygiene education, health check-ups, health insurance, and vaccination drives, ensuring a safe work environment.
Jean-François Pascal, Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Beiersdorf, states, “The global plastic problem has continued to intensify over the years due to the production and disposal of millions of tons of plastic annually, which is very often single-use plastic. This was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With our ‘Women in Circularity’ initiative we aim to help mitigate the devasting aftermath of the pandemic on both the environment and on society by creating a lasting impact”.
“Also, the initiative will help increase these organizations’ plastic waste collection and recycling capacity by 15,000 tons of plastic per year by expanding their plastic waste management infrastructure including new recycling plants. The funds will create new jobs and improve working and living conditions of female waste collectors through the provision of training, occupational health and safety, health insurance and expanded immunization services,” comments Beiersdorf’s Luisa Robles Vega, Sustainability Manager Environmental Strategy & Human Rights.
Explaining the vision, Jabir Gharat, CEO - Green Worms, says “During the pandemic, many waste workers, most of whom are women, had no source of income. They are generally the sole earners in the family. To survive the pandemic, they took loans and now they are back to work and, in addition to feeding their families, are now also repaying their loans. These women are resilient and all they need is access to stable and safe work opportunities. If we can work together on a shared mission with women waste collectors, we can create stories of hope in tackling both plastic pollution and poverty.”
The initiative also establishes a Waste Workers Welfare Fund to enhance economic security for the local community.Launched in four countries, this initiative redefines the approach to environmental challenges and women's empowerment within the waste management sector, contributing to a sustainable future where businesses become catalysts for positive change.
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